Dream: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Johnny Mercer / arr. Russell Robinson
Item: 00-PO-0005758
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Written by songwriting legend Johnny Mercer, "Dream" has been covered by artists from Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Bublé. A rubato section in straight eighths opens this rich a cappella setting, before breaking into a moderate swing tempo with finger snaps. A final return to the earlier duple feel leads to a soft, sensitive ending. Perfect for exploring both jazz harmony and stylizations.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005758
More about this title
About the Composer: Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) was one of America's most prolific and beloved songwriters, crafting lyrics and melodies that became standards of the Great American Songbook. His gift for storytelling through song and his ability to capture vernacular speech while maintaining sophisticated harmonic sensibility made him a favorite of vocalists across genres. Mercer's output spanned jazz, pop, film scores, and theatrical works, and his influence on American music education extends far beyond his lifetime.
Why we love this
Russell Robinson's arrangement captures the essence of this standard while offering singers real harmonic and stylistic work. The interplay between rubato and swing sections gives your ensemble a chance to show control across contrasting textures, and the stripped-down a cappella voicing means every balance choice matters.
What to expect
The piece opens with introspective, floating lyricism before the energy shifts into a cool, snappy swing groove. The contrast between these two worlds creates an arc that feels both sophisticated and approachable, with a wistful quality that lingers through to the end.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced SSA choirs ready to engage with jazz harmony and stylistic nuance. This arrangement works well for groups that have developed blend and intonation across mixed meters and can handle the interpretive flexibility that a cappella singing demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening rubato section with intentional breath placement and dynamic curves; treat it as a lyrical solo supported by harmony rather than a rhythmic unison.
- Lock the finger-snap pattern in the swing section early in rehearsal. Once the rhythmic grid is secure, singers can focus on the jazz phrasing and articulation that make this style sing.
- Blend the altos and second sopranos carefully during modulations; uneven voice balance can muddy the harmonic movement at sensitive moments.
- Approach the final return to the opening material as a recall, not a repeat. Allow slight rubato variation and let the soft dynamic feel earned and intentional.
How to use it
Pair this with other standards from the Great American Songbook to build a set, or use it as a stylistic anchor in a concert that mixes classical and contemporary repertoire. The moderate length and flexible dynamics make it suitable for both formal concerts and more intimate performance settings.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz harmony voicing and voice leading
- Stylistic flexibility across rubato and swing rhythms
- A cappella blend and intonation in complex harmonic passages
- Expressive control in soft dynamics and slower tempos
- Ensemble rhythmic precision with finger snaps and pulse