Look to the Rainbow Cover Image

Look to the Rainbow: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$24.95 USD
Sale price  $24.95 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Look to the Rainbow Cover Image

Look to the Rainbow: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

From the Musical Finian's Rainbow

Words by E. Y. Harburg, music by Burton Lane / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-A-00015139

$24.95
Digital Download
Description

Look to the Rainbow: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Pages

No sample pages found.

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00015139

More about this title

About the Composer: Burton Lane

Burton Lane (1912-1997) composed some of Broadway's most enduring melodies, with a gift for writing singable, emotionally direct songs that became standards. His work on Finian's Rainbow introduced audiences to "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and "Look to the Rainbow," songs that have transcended their theatrical origins to become beloved recital and choral repertoire. Lane's melodic craftsmanship and harmonic sophistication make his compositions accessible to singers at many levels while rewarding deeper musical exploration.

As a composer for stage and film, Lane understood how to write for the human voice, and his melodies sit naturally in the range and phrasing patterns singers instinctively follow. Music educators have long recognized the pedagogical value in his work, which combines immediate appeal with genuine musical substance.

Why we love this

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the warmth and optimism of Lane's original without oversimplifying the harmonic language. The SoundTrax accompaniment provides ensemble singers with a secure harmonic and rhythmic foundation, making this accessible to groups building confidence in blend and intonation while maintaining the song's Broadway integrity.

What to expect

The song radiates quiet optimism and gentle encouragement, with a melody that feels both familiar and fresh. There's a conversational quality to the text and music that invites singers to tell the story rather than perform it, creating an intimate connection between singers and audience.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits developing choirs and treble or mixed ensembles seeking repertoire with both musical substance and emotional accessibility. It works equally well for high school singers, community choirs, and adult amateur ensembles looking to expand beyond folk or contemporary pop into Broadway-rooted choral literature.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melody with a gentle, conversational legit tone rather than a belt; the song's power comes from sincerity, not volume.
  • Balance the harmonic voices by asking singers to listen to the line above and below theirs during rehearsal, ensuring the chord sounds warm rather than thin.
  • Use the accompaniment track to establish the harmonic center in early rehearsals, then rehearse a cappella periodically to build independence and ear training.
  • Give special attention to any key modulations or section changes; mark them clearly and rehearse transitions so they feel inevitable rather than abrupt.

How to use it

Program this as a warm-hearted encore or standalone selection at a spring concert, or pair it with other Broadway standards to create a themed set. The song's uplifting message makes it fitting for benefit concerts or community events where the tone should be hopeful without being saccharine.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing legit Broadway style with sustained legato phrasing
  • Balancing harmonic voices within four-part writing
  • Intonation in chromatic harmonic progressions
  • Expressive interpretation of text-driven melody

You May Also Like