Dream a Little Dream of Me: SAB/3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Andy Beck's arrangement captures the contemporary appeal of Pink Martini's version while keeping the piece within reach for mixed choirs at an early intermediate level. The reference to Debussy's "Clair de Lune" in the introduction gives your singers a sophisticated moment to execute, and the optional instrumentation (ukulele, string bass, melodica) lets you scale the production from stripped-down simplicity to cabaret polish depending on your resources and performance setting.

The piece opens with an intimate, impressionistic calm that gradually settles into the warmth of a classic melody sung with ease. There's a nostalgic quality (the standard itself carries decades of memory) combined with a modern sensibility that feels both timeless and current.

This arrangement works for mixed choirs with singers who can sustain legit tone and navigate a laid-back jazz feel. It's also a natural choice for directors programming a concert that bridges classical and contemporary repertoire, or for small ensembles that want a recognizable title with enough style and musicality to feel special.

• Shape the dreamy piano-influenced opening with legit dynamics and unhurried phrasing; resist the urge to rush into the main melody.
• Balance the parts so soloistic lines (especially in the upper voices) can land clearly without the lower voices fading into accompaniment.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse without it first so your choir feels grounded in the tune itself before layering in the production.
• Explore the optional SoundPax parts (ukulele, string bass, melodica) in rehearsal even if you won't perform with them; they clarify the harmonic landscape and help singers hear their voice in context.

Pair this with other jazz standards or American songbook selections to create a mixed concert segment that appeals to audiences beyond traditional choral repertoire. It also works beautifully as an opening number for a pops concert or as a closer for a program that needs a graceful, introspective finish.

• Sustaining legit tone in a jazz/popular music context
• Balancing part independence with ensemble cohesion
• Responding to relaxed tempos without losing rhythmic precision
• Interpreting style markings and dynamic shapes in a cabaret-influenced arrangement