Dream a Little Dream of Me: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Andy Beck's arrangement captures the contemporary freshness of the Pink Martini and von Trapp family version while keeping the original melody front and center for your singers. The nod to Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' in the opening gives the piece sophistication beyond its years, and the optional instrumental parts (ukulele, string bass, and melodica) let you build the exact sound your ensemble can deliver.

This arrangement settles over you like a gentle evening, with Debussy-tinged piano shimmering beneath the melody. The relaxed, conversational delivery invites your singers into a world of vintage charm reimagined for modern ears, where every note feels unhurried and intentional.

Choirs seeking repertoire with contemporary relevance and accessible harmonic language will find this arrangement both singable and musically rewarding. It works equally well for middle school choirs building confidence with 2-part writing and advanced groups drawn to the sophisticated arranging details and optional instrumental textures.

• Bring out the dreamy quality of the piano introduction by allowing singers to listen and settle into the mood before their entrance. This moment sets the entire performance's relaxed, intimate tone.
• Balance the two voice parts so neither dominates the texture. The beauty of this arrangement lives in how the parts weave together rather than in individual strength.
• If adding the SoundPax instrumental parts, rehearse the singers separately from the rhythm section first. Lock the vocal blend before layering in ukulele, bass, and melodica.
• Shape the familiar melody with gentle dynamics and natural phrasing rather than emphasizing every note. This is a song meant to feel effortless and conversational.

Pair this with other jazz-influenced standards or contemporary pop arrangements for a concert program that values timeless melodies and fresh interpretations. It also serves beautifully as a standalone feature piece, especially given its connection to Nicole Kidman's performance as the opening theme for a major television series.

• Singing jazz phrasing and rubato within a simple harmonic framework
• Balancing two independent vocal lines with equal musical weight
• Understanding how arrangers adapt familiar melodies for new contexts and instrumentation
• Interpreting stylistic cues from contemporary recordings to inform live performance