What A Wonderful World (arr. Hans Reintjes): SAB Choral Octavo

Hans Reintjes captures the essential warmth and buoyancy of Armstrong's classic without flattening it into something precious or overly reverent. The SAB voicing allows mixed ensembles to access this repertoire standard without the vocal demands that can derail a rehearsal process. Most importantly, the arrangement respects the song's fundamental message of gratitude and wonder, making it as meaningful to sing as it is immediately recognizable to an audience.

Pure sincerity wrapped in a gentle swing. The arrangement breathes with the kind of unhurried joy that comes from genuine gratitude rather than forced sentimentality. It feels like someone looking around a room full of people they care about and finding reasons to smile.

Any mixed choir looking for a sophisticated pop standard that works equally well at a spring concert, pops fundraiser, or end-of-year celebration. The piece sits comfortably for intermediate to advanced choirs and requires no soloists, making it accessible for full ensemble participation.

• Shape the phrase endings with gentle releases rather than cutting them short; this arrangement lives in legit singing territory, and the lyricism rewards a lyrical approach to the line
• Balance the upper voices clearly without letting the altos get buried in the harmonic texture, especially during moments where they sustain beneath the melody
• Lean into the natural speech rhythms of the text to avoid making the phrasing sound mechanical; Armstrong's gift was making complex syncopation feel conversational

This works beautifully as a closing piece on any concert program where you want to leave an audience feeling uplifted without being saccharine. Pair it alongside other standards or as a palate cleanser between more demanding classical selections. It's also an excellent choice for holiday pops concerts or community-focused performances where accessibility and emotional directness matter more than technical display.

• Balancing jazz phrasing with legit choral vowels
• Reading and executing swing rhythms in a choral context
• Maintaining phrase shape and legit line across sustained harmonic passages
• Blending three-part voicing with clear part independence