Too Darn Hot: Choral SoundPax

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the sultry swagger of the original without losing the lyrical sophistication that makes this Porter standard so rewarding to sing. The clean jazz writing and responsive harmonies give ensemble singers real musical meat to work with, while the optional accompaniment lets you deliver full Broadway production value without needing a pit orchestra. This is a piece that audiences recognize instantly, which means your singers get the thrill of performing something genuinely famous.

A room full of swagger and shimmer. The piece opens with that sultry bass line and finger snaps that immediately signal fun without losing elegance; the harmonies gleam with classic jazz color while the melody sits right in the pocket where it belongs. Singing this feels like being part of something genuinely stylish, a moment where your choir gets to deliver some real Broadway glamour.

Directors programming jazz and contemporary standards for mixed choirs of intermediate to advanced ability. Singers who enjoy the rhythmic snap and harmonic sophistication of jazz voicing will find this arrangement engaging and musical, whether they're performing for a concert audience or a more casual setting.

• Lock the rhythm section (bass line and snaps) before bringing in the full ensemble. These elements are the song's heartbeat, and the rest of the voicing sits on top of that groove.
• Shape the phrase endings with intention rather than letting them drop. Jazz voicings like these demand slight lift and forward motion even in the most relaxed moments.
• Balance the soloists or featured sections against the tutti writing. The sultry character only works if listeners can follow the melodic line clearly.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it early and often. Your ensemble needs to internalize the groove so the performance feels conversational rather than locked-in.

Pair this with other Porter standards or Golden Age repertoire for a concert celebrating American songbook traditions. It works equally well as a finale number that sends the audience out smiling or as a scene-stealer in a mixed program where you want a moment of pure entertainment value. The 54-page score accommodates larger ensembles and allows flexibility in how many voices you assign to each part.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within a notated score
• Balancing ensemble blend with jazz voicing colors
• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms and swing subdivisions
• Interpreting stylistic articulation and dynamics specific to Broadway jazz idiom
• Ensemble coordination with rhythmic accompaniment and optional instrumental parts