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Dream: Choral SoundPax

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Dream Cover Image

Dream: Choral SoundPax

Words and music by Johnny Mercer / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-27137

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Description
Singer Mel Tormé called "Dream" "the national anthem for group singers." It's been recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to George Shearing, and is the quintessential vocal group number. The vocal lines are easy, so it's a great piece to work on tone and blend...for any ensemble of any size. Easy piano accompaniment.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dream: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081293974
SKU: 00-27137
Instrumentation: SoundPax

More about this title

About the Composer: Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) ranks among the most prolific and inventive lyricists in American popular music. His gift for matching conversational language to memorable melodies shaped the Great American Songbook alongside composers like Henry Mancini, Jerome Kern, and Harold Arlen. Mercer's lyrics for "Dream" exemplify his ability to craft singable, accessible lines that work equally well in jazz ensembles, barbershop quartets, and formal choirs.

Beyond songwriting, Mercer was a singer, actor, and co-founder of Capitol Records, making him one of the few figures who shaped both the creation and distribution of American popular song. His influence on vocal music education remains direct: his songs appear in choral libraries worldwide because they balance artistic substance with genuine accessibility for singers of varying abilities.

Why we love this

This arrangement distills a jazz standard into something every ensemble can sing well. The vocal writing stays in a comfortable range and the harmony is clean enough that your singers can focus entirely on tone, blend, and the lyrical storytelling that makes this tune timeless rather than wrestling with technical complexity.

What to expect

Warm, sophisticated, and conversational. This is a song that sounds best when singers lean into the lyricism and let their voices blend into something larger than any individual line. There's a gentle swing underneath, but the real character lives in the singers' ability to make this feel intimate rather than performed.

Who it's for

Any choir looking to build fundamental vocal skills without programming something overly simplistic. Mixed ensembles, show choirs, pop choirs, and school groups benefit from the accessible ranges and straightforward harmony, while the SoundPax format means you can add parts instrumentally if your singer count is uneven.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the phrases with subtle dynamic shaping rather than abrupt accents; the song's elegance comes from smooth, connected singing across the lyrical arc.
  • Let the ensemble settle into a relaxed swing feel without rushing; this is a ballad-influenced standard that needs space to breathe.
  • Balance the parts so the melody stays present but never isolated; blend matters here as much as clarity.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove and free your singers to concentrate on vowel matching and line direction.

How to use it

Place this on a pop or jazz concert to anchor an evening of Great American Songbook standards, or program it in a lighter show context where you want to highlight ensemble tone work. Its vintage charm and high recording pedigree also make it a natural fit for concert pops arrangements or fundraiser galas where listeners recognize the tune immediately.

Skills your students will build

  • Blending vowels across multiple parts
  • Phrase shaping and lyrical phrasing in a jazz/pop idiom
  • Balancing melody and harmony awareness
  • Sustaining relaxed, connected vocal production across longer lines
  • Interpretation of swing rhythm without rushed tempo

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