A Wish Worth Making (from Wish) (arr. Roger Emerson): SATB Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's arrangement captures the song's emotional core without overcomplicating it. The voicing stays accessible for intermediate choirs while preserving enough harmonic interest to keep singers engaged throughout the seven pages. This lands perfectly in that sweet spot where the music feels contemporary and film-connected without demanding advanced vocal technique.

Optimistic and grounded. The song holds genuine emotion without sentimentality, offering singers something worthwhile to invest in. There's lightness in the orchestration Emerson captures through the arrangement, yet the harmonic foundation feels solid and intentional.

Intermediate to advanced SATB choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with strong melodic appeal. This works equally well for concert programs, show choirs, or ensembles looking to diversify beyond traditional classical or pop standards.

• Shape the melodic line through dynamic control rather than tempo changes. The song's strength lies in its lyrical simplicity, so let phrase arcs do the expressive work.
• Balance the parts so the soprano line sits naturally above the ensemble without pushing. Emerson's arrangement typically distributes melodic interest across all four voices at key moments.
• Find the emotional temperature early in rehearsals. A clear sense of what the text means to your singers will guide interpretive choices far more effectively than technical corrections alone.

Pair this with other contemporary film music to create a thematic concert set, or use it as a contrast piece alongside art songs or classical works. The seven-page length makes it substantial enough to anchor a program segment without requiring extended rehearsal time relative to its impact.

• Singing contemporary melodic lines with stylistic accuracy
• Balancing transparency in four-part texture
• Communicating emotional subtext through vocal expression
• Reading and performing music arranged from popular sources