Dream With Me (from Peter Pan Suite) (arr. Emily Crocker): SA Choral Octavo

Emily Crocker has crafted an arrangement that preserves Bernstein's soaring melody and emotional directness while making it work naturally for SA voices. The orchestration breathes room for your singers to sustain phrases and connect with the dreamy, hopeful character of the song without technical barriers getting in the way.

Gentle and imaginative, with the warmth of a lullaby that doesn't condescend. The melody floats on a harmonic bed that feels both comforting and slightly magical, evoking the wonder of Neverland without requiring spectacle.

Middle school and high school choirs working on accessible yet musically substantial Broadway material, as well as younger singers ready to explore legit vocal production. The SA voicing opens this to developing ensembles and mixed-age groups.

• Shape the legit legato lines by thinking in whole phrases rather than measure-by-measure breath marks. Bernstein's melodies need space to unfold.
• Balance the soprano and alto parts so the primary melody registers clearly, but let the inner harmony contribute its own warmth rather than disappearing.
• Lean into the text setting at 'Dream with me' to find the intimate, conversational quality that makes this more than just a pretty tune.
• Allow natural rubato in the sustained moments, especially at peaks, to let the accompaniment support the singers rather than rushing ahead.

Pair this with other Bernstein selections for a focused concert segment, or use it as a moment of contrast in a varied program where you need something intimate and song-like. It works equally well as a concert closer or as a bridge between larger ensemble numbers.

• Sustaining legit legato lines across phrase boundaries
• Balancing soprano and alto harmonic color in two-part texture
• Interpreting text expression within a theatrical musical context
• Managing breath management in long-lined melodies