A Night Like This (arr. Peter van Lonkhuijsen): SAB Choral Octavo

Van Lonkhuijsen's arrangement respects the sophisticated harmonies embedded in Emerald's original without sacrificing the slinky groove that makes this song memorable. The SAB voicing keeps the piece accessible while maintaining enough textural interest to keep singers engaged throughout, and the pop idiom gives your ensemble material that feels genuinely contemporary rather than attempting to retrofit 'relevance' onto tired arrangements.

Suave and assured, with the swagger of a late-night lounge filtered through modern pop sensibilities. The arrangement has an almost cinematic quality, inviting singers and audiences alike into a world where pop music can be both catchy and nuanced.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop material that rewards genuine musicianship and won't feel dated after a single season. This works well for programs ranging from middle school (with a mature ear for style) through community and college ensembles.

• Build the groove from the rhythm section outward. The alto and bass lines establish pocket before the soprano melody enters; lock this foundation first, then layer the top line for maximum impact.
• Maintain a conversational tone in the melody rather than oversinging it. Emerald's delivery is intimate and understated; encourage your singers to find restraint where it would be easy to push.
• Shape the longer phrases with subtle dynamic scoops rather than hard accents. This creates forward motion without announcing every breath.
• Let the arrangement breathe in quieter passages. Resist the urge to fill every moment; the spaces between phrases are part of what makes this arrangement sophisticated.

Pair this with other sophisticated pop or soul arrangements to build a set that showcases your ensemble's range beyond traditional classical repertoire. It works as a concert opener that immediately signals to the audience that they're about to experience something with real style, or as a compelling contrast in a program that spans multiple genres.

• Singing in a contemporary pop idiom with rhythmic accuracy
• Voicing homophonic textures with independence of parts
• Reading chord-informed arrangements
• Maintaining rhythmic pocket in grooved material
• Phrasing with restraint and intention in non-legit vocal settings