What A Wonderful World (arr. Paul Ayres): SAB Choral Octavo
What A Wonderful World (arr. Paul Ayres) Sheet Music Preview

What A Wonderful World (arr. Paul Ayres): SAB Choral Octavo

As performed by Louis Armstrong / Arranged by Paul Ayres

Item: 35-DS00506624
Digital Download
$1.99
Description

What A Wonderful World (arr. Paul Ayres): SAB Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 5
SKU: 35-DS00506624

More about this title

About the Artist: Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong's influence on jazz and American music remains unmatched nearly a century after he began recording. A virtuoso trumpeter and vocalist whose warm, distinctive voice became as iconic as his instrumental playing, Armstrong fundamentally shaped how musicians approached improvisation, phrasing, and swing feel across all genres. His recordings from the 1920s onward established the gold standard for jazz artistry and continue to inspire musicians and educators worldwide.

Why we love this

Paul Ayres' arrangement captures the essential warmth and optimism of Armstrong's classic recording while making it accessible to developing three-part choirs. The voicing sits comfortably for mixed voices and preserves the song's conversational quality, letting singers experience the joy that made this standard an enduring favorite across generations.

What to expect

A moment of genuine reflection wrapped in jazzy warmth. The arrangement invites singers into intimate observation of everyday beauty, with harmonies that feel conversational rather than complex. There's an inherent lift to the music that keeps it from becoming saccharine.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking repertoire that builds confidence in singers while offering genuine musical satisfaction. Whether your ensemble is high school or community-based, this arrangement meets developing musicians where they are without sacrificing the song's artistic integrity.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melody with Armstrong's characteristic phrasing in mind; resist the urge to make every phrase perfectly even. The beauty lives in subtle rubato and emphasis.
  • Balance the parts so the soprani line emerges naturally without overwhelming the altos and basses. This arrangement rewards voices that listen to each other.
  • Allow space for breath and expression between phrases. The text painting (particularly on 'and I think to myself') calls for genuine sentiment, not rushed delivery.

How to use it

Position this as a palate cleanser between more demanding classical or contemporary works on a concert. Its appeal transcends typical choir audiences, making it valuable for pops concerts, community events, or programs celebrating American song traditions. The moderate difficulty and high familiarity also make it ideal for winter or spring programs when you want something immediately rewarding for your ensemble.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with jazz swing feel and inflection
  • Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment in SAB voicing
  • Interpreting text with warmth and conversational phrasing
  • Listening across three-part mixed harmony
  • Connecting to the American songbook tradition

You May Also Like