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Try to Remember: SAB Choral Octavo

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Try to Remember: SAB Choral Octavo

Try to Remember: SAB Choral Octavo

From The Fantasticks

Lyrics by Harvey Schmidt, music by Tom Jones / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-27178
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Description
After running for more than 30 years off-Broadway, the musical legend The Fantasticks has re-opened to great reviews. The show is timeless, and so is its music. In this arrangement of the elegant opening number, the tune is stated first in a straightforward manner, then becomes a light jazz waltz. Perfectly arranged for all your groups, large or small, regardless of age.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081294384
SKU: 00-27178

More about this title

About the Composer: Harvey Schmidt

Harvey Schmidt composed the music for The Fantasticks alongside lyricist Tom Jones, creating one of the longest-running musicals in American theater history. His gift for melody and harmonic sophistication has made The Fantasticks a standard in both professional and educational settings for decades. Schmidt's work demonstrates how pop and theater music can achieve both accessibility and artistic depth.

Why we love this

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the emotional core of this iconic song while giving it fresh musical life through the jazz waltz transformation. The straightforward opening statement makes it immediately singable for any age group, while the harmonic sophistication rewards choirs with stronger musicianship. This is the kind of piece that sounds effortless when it's done well, and your singers will love performing something from a show they've likely heard of or seen.

What to expect

The opening unfolds like a memory, tender and wistful, before the jazz waltz injects warmth and gentle rhythmic playfulness. The arrangement respects the song's inherent romanticism while acknowledging the theatrical world it comes from. There's a lovely balance between the timeless quality of the melody and the contemporary feel of the jazz treatment.

Who it's for

Any mixed voice choir from high school through adult ensembles will connect with this piece. The SAB voicing makes it accessible to groups with limited bass support while maintaining musical substance. Whether your singers know The Fantasticks or not, the inherent elegance of the melody and the approachable range make this a natural fit for performance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody between the parts during the opening statement so the tune emerges clearly; resist the urge to let altos and sopranos dominate.
  • Shape the phrase endings gently rather than cutting them off sharply, which honors the romantic quality of the original.
  • When the jazz waltz section arrives, lighten the tempo and articulation slightly to distinguish it from the first statement; use the recorded accompaniment to anchor this rhythmic shift.
  • Keep the harmonic movement connected through the chord changes so transitions sound inevitable rather than awkward.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a concert opener or as part of a Broadway or theater-themed program. The piece's length and accessibility make it ideal for mixed concert bills where you want something the audience recognizes and your singers can execute with confidence. Consider pairing it with other show tunes or using it to bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing through jazz harmonies with harmonic awareness
  • Balancing melody and inner harmony in SAB texture
  • Interpreting tempo and style shifts within a single piece
  • Connecting phrasing across longer melodic lines

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