Audition (The Fools Who Dream): SSA Choral Octavo

Andy Beck's arrangement captures the intimacy and vulnerability of this Oscar-nominated song while making it accessible for SSA choirs of varying experience levels. The setting honors the original's emotional weight without overshadowing the singers' voices, creating space for genuine connection with the text about dreams and resilience.

Introspective and hopeful, with moments of quiet intensity. The music unfolds gradually, inviting singers and listeners into a conversation about ambition, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to dream. There's a tenderness throughout that never becomes sentimental.

SSA choirs looking to program a contemporary piece with genuine emotional depth and contemporary appeal. This works equally well for upper-level high school choirs, college ensembles, and adult community choirs seeking music that resonates with modern audiences.

• Shape the melodic line with unhurried phrasing; resist the urge to push tempo even when the text becomes reflective, as the song's power lies in its stillness.
• Balance the soprano and alto parts so the harmonic foundation remains audible without the upper voice being buried; blend matters more than volume here.
• Work the text thoroughly with your singers so that each phrase about dreaming and living feels personal rather than performed.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it from the start so your singers develop a strong sense of the track's pacing and emotional shape.

This arrangement shines as a standalone piece in a concert centered on contemporary film music or as a powerful anchor for a program exploring themes of perseverance and self-discovery. It also pairs well with other secular choral works that share an intimate, introspective quality.

• Singing sustained lines with consistent tone and breath support
• Balancing harmony parts while maintaining individual melodic responsibility
• Interpreting contemporary text with emotional authenticity
• Ensemble blend and listening across different vocal registers
• Following a recorded accompaniment with rhythmic precision and musical sensitivity