All Of Me (arr. Peter van Lonkhuijsen): SSAATB Choral Octavo

Van Lonkhuijsen's arrangement captures the intimate vulnerability of this modern standard while giving choirs genuine musical substance across six voices. The writing honors the song's melodic core without resorting to oversimplified voicings, making it rewarding for singers who want to feel the emotion they're expressing rather than just hitting notes.

The piece moves with quiet conviction, building from restrained vulnerability into moments of fuller harmonic warmth. There's an intimacy in van Lonkhuijsen's voice writing that makes singers feel like they're discovering the song's emotional center rather than simply performing it.

This arrangement works for mixed choirs ranging from intermediate to advanced singers who can navigate six-part writing with confidence. It's ideal for groups seeking contemporary repertoire that maintains musical integrity while honoring what audiences already love about the song.

• Resist the urge to rush the opening phrases; the arrangement's strength lies in letting harmonic movement breathe and create space around the melody.
• Balance the inner voices carefully during moments when they sustain while the lead voice carries the text; clarity here prevents muddiness and highlights the arrangement's harmonic sophistication.
• Record a full rehearsal run-through early in your preparation and listen back with fresh ears to identify where the ensemble drifts from the pulse or the blend shifts unexpectedly.

This works beautifully as a spring concert centerpiece or as part of a set exploring contemporary songwriting and arrangements. Pair it with other modern standards or art song arrangements to demonstrate how contemporary music can live alongside classical repertoire without awkwardness.

• Reading six-part mixed voicing (SSAATB) with independent inner lines
• Balancing melody against sustained harmonic background
• Sustaining emotional connection to familiar popular material across multiple phrases
• Blend and intonation in close harmony voicings