With You: SAB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the emotional core of Schwartz's original without overwhelming a three-part choir. The piece sits comfortably for developing singers while preserving the haunting quality that makes this song resonate; it works equally well on a pop concert or as a contemplative opener for a more eclectic program.

Delicate and introspective, with moments of quiet strength beneath the surface. The arrangement honors the original's emotional intimacy while creating space for the three-part texture to add warmth and depth to every phrase.

This arrangement suits choirs with three-part mixed voices ranging from middle school through community groups. Singers benefit from exposure to Schwartz's theatrical sensibility while working at a manageable vocal level, and directors gain a piece that audiences recognize and respond to immediately.

• Balance the soprano and alto lines carefully in the opening sections to let both parts shine without one overwhelming the other.
• Shape phrases toward the emotional peaks rather than treating them as constant; the gentleness comes from restraint and intention, not flatness.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish tempo and harmonic context during rehearsals, then experiment with how your choir's interpretation can add depth to the arrangement.
• Pay attention to vowel consistency across the SAB voicing, especially in sustained passages where blend directly impacts the song's reflective quality.

This works beautifully as a concert opener or closer, particularly in programs built around contemporary or theatrical repertoire. Its gentle, familiar quality also makes it an effective transition piece between more energetic selections.

• Blending in close three-part harmony
• Dynamic control and sustained phrasing in a minor-inflected melody
• Singing Broadway repertoire with theatrical awareness while maintaining choral precision
• Balancing melody and harmony across three voices