Dig A Little Deeper (from The Princess And The Frog): SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the soul and swagger of Newman's original while tailoring it perfectly for a three-part voicing. The piece swings without requiring a jazz rhythm section, making it viable for choirs without specialized accompaniment, and it sits in a range that lets young singers dig into the character work the song demands.

Confident and playful, with an undercurrent of determination. The music bounces with personality while maintaining a warmth that comes from Newman's gift for melody. It feels modern without sounding dated, accessible without being slight.

Choirs looking for a piece that connects to film music students already know while offering real musical substance. This works for middle school through early high school ensembles, especially those exploring contemporary vocal music beyond classical traditions.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by clapping the syncopated rhythmic figures before singing them; this song lives in its pocket, not in straight eighth notes.
• Lean into the lyrical storytelling rather than oversinging. The wit and character of this piece shine through clarity and commitment to the text.
• Balance the parts so the melody stays central without drowning the harmony; the arrangement gives each voice something worth hearing, but the SAB texture works best when layered deliberately.
• Pay attention to dynamic shaping within phrases to avoid a static sound. The arrangement has room for small swells that follow the natural breathing of the lyrics.

Pair this with other film or contemporary pop arrangements in a concert celebrating music from screen to stage. It also serves as a gateway to Newman's deeper catalog for choirs ready to explore beyond Disney. The 13-page score gives you room to really teach the piece without it consuming rehearsal time.

• Singing with rhythmic precision in syncopated pop-influenced lines
• Balancing mixed voicing to hear all three parts
• Character-driven text interpretation in contemporary music
• Navigating varied harmonic movement while maintaining forward motion