Who Could Ask for Anything More?: Choral SoundPax

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the joy and sophistication of Gershwin's original compositions while making them work beautifully for choir. The medley format lets you program genuine masterworks without requiring extended rehearsal time, and the variety across these seven songs keeps both singers and audiences engaged. This is choral repertoire that feels substantial and celebratory at the same time.

Effervescent, witty, and warm. These songs carry the optimism and sophistication of early twentieth-century popular music, yet they never feel dated. Singing them reminds you why Gershwin's melodies have endured for a century: they're simply beautiful to sing and to hear, and they make you want to smile.

This arrangement suits choirs with intermediate to advanced musicianship who want to perform recognizable, beloved repertoire with substance. It works equally well for high school choirs, community and college ensembles, and professional groups looking for a strong closer or a concert highlight that audiences will immediately connect with.

• Balance the ensemble sound carefully during the transitions between songs; each new section has its own character, and clarity matters more than volume when moving through seven distinct melodies.
• Work through the accompaniment arrangement alongside the vocal parts during early rehearsals. The SoundPax format pairs voices with piano or orchestral backing, so your singers need to hear how their lines sit within the full texture.
• Pay attention to the lyrical and rhythmic differences across these songs. Some will feel jazzy and syncopated; others more lyrical. Let those stylistic shifts come through rather than treating the medley as one continuous piece.
• Record yourselves partway through preparation. Hearing the medley in progress helps singers understand pacing and identify balance issues that might not be obvious in the rehearsal room.

This medley works beautifully as a concert closer, especially in a program that mixes styles or honors American songwriting. At just over eight minutes, it occupies a substantial spot without dominating a concert, and it serves as an excellent vehicle for showing off your choir's ability to balance ensemble singing with stylistic nuance. It also pairs well with other American standards or jazz-influenced choral works.

• Singing through harmonic complexity and unexpected chord progressions
• Maintaining clarity and independence within a medley format
• Interpreting jazz-influenced rhythms and phrasing within a choral context
• Balancing lyrical singing with rhythmic precision across contrasting musical styles
• Blending with a recorded accompaniment and responding to its tempo and texture