You'd Be Surprised: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

$22.95 USD

You'd Be Surprised: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Name: You'd Be Surprised: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-27221
Price: 22.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Words and music by Irving Berlin / arr. Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-27221

$22.95

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Greg Gilpin has taken this cute Irving Berlin number and turned it into something special for SSA choirs. Everyone wondered why all the girls passed Johnny by...except Mary, that is. So let Mary tell you: "He's not so good in the house, but on a bench in the park, you'd be surprised." A classic novelty number for the girls.

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Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 038081294810

SKU: 00-27221

More about this title

About the Composer: Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin (1888-1989) composed some of America's most recognizable melodies across Broadway, film, and popular music. From "White Christmas" to "God Bless America," his gift for memorable hooks and accessible songwriting shaped the Great American Songbook and influenced generations of composers.

Berlin's rhythmic sophistication and clever harmonic moves often hide beneath deceptively simple melodies. For music educators, his catalog offers repertoire that engages singers with intelligent lyrics, singable lines, and genuine musical substance—qualities that remain rare in novelty numbers.

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Why we love this

Greg Gilpin's SSA setting captures the novelty's humor without sacrificing musicality. The arrangement gives every voice part genuine melodic interest rather than relegating anyone to filler, which means your singers stay engaged throughout. It's a conversation piece that actually works on stage—audiences recognize the song immediately, but your choir's interpretation of Mary's sly confidence becomes the real payoff.

What to expect

Witty, playful, and surprisingly charming. The music has a light swing sensibility that catches audiences off guard when they realize a novelty number is actually well-crafted. There's genuine warmth beneath the humor, making Mary's perspective feel real rather than purely comedic.

Who it's for

SSA choirs seeking a crowd-pleasing novelty number that doesn't sacrifice musicianship. This works beautifully for choirs with intermediate to advancing singers who can sustain a character performance and handle the three-part harmony with confidence.

How to get the most out of it

Lean into the character voice. Mary is telling a story with attitude, so encourage your singers to shift their tone from conversational (the setup) to knowing and playful (the payoff). This isn't detached narration.
Let the lyrics land by spacing out key phrases. Resist rushing through the punch line; your audience needs time to catch the joke and appreciate the wit.
Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the rhythmic groove. The novelty number's charm depends on crisp, confident rhythmic delivery, and the track models exactly where that precision matters most.
Balance blend with clarity in the three-part writing. The harmony should feel cohesive, but keep enough separation that each voice's melodic line registers distinctly when Gilpin gives the spotlight to different parts.

How to use it

Pair this with other Berlin standards or 1920s popular songs to build a focused program section. It also works beautifully as a standalone opener that sets a joyful, accessible tone before moving into more serious repertoire. Spring concerts and pops shows are natural homes for this piece.