Look to the Rainbow (from Finian's Rainbow): SATB Choral Octavo

Carl Strommen's arrangement captures the emotional warmth of Lane's original melody while making it genuinely singable for mixed choirs at moderate levels. The optional flute part gives you flexibility in scoring without compromising the piece's impact, and the accessibility of the part-writing means your singers stay focused on phrasing and ensemble blend rather than struggling with mechanics.

Optimistic and lyrical, with the kind of straightforward emotional directness that made Golden Age Broadway memorable. The melody breathes easily across the phrases, and Strommen's voicing creates warmth without density, giving the choir room to shape the line expressively.

This piece works for any mixed choir performing at grade 3 or solid grade 2 level. Directors seeking accessible Broadway material that doesn't sound simplified will find a genuine musical value here; the harmonic language is richer than typical pop arrangements, and the melody is substantial enough to hold an audience's attention.

• Balance the sustained melodic lines across all four parts; this piece rewards a full, warm tone rather than anything precious or overly light.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to lock the harmonic framework, then gradually transition to live piano so singers build confidence in the chord progressions.
• Shape phrases through the text rather than mechanical breath marks; the lyrics of this Harburg-Lane song carry real meaning, and singers should deliver them with intention.
• If you include the optional flute, rehearse it separately first so it doesn't overshadow the choir; the flute works best as a gentle counterline that supports rather than dominates.

This sits comfortably alongside other Broadway standards in a concert celebrating American musical theater, or use it as a lighter moment in a program built around more serious repertoire. Its moderate difficulty and dependable appeal make it an excellent choice for a concert that includes both experienced and developing singers.

• Singing sustained melodic lines with consistent tone production
• Balancing four-part harmony with clear individual line integrity
• Interpreting text expressively while maintaining ensemble precision
• Reading and performing in SATB voicing at grade 3 level
• Coordinating with optional instrumentation (flute)