Only When I Sleep (arr. Martin Cornelissen): SAB Choral Octavo

Cornelissen's arrangement captures the wistful, introspective quality of the original while working beautifully within SAB voicing. The pop song's inherent melodic strength translates to choral texture without losing the sophisticated production values that made the song memorable for your singers' generation.

Moody and introspective, the arrangement creates emotional space while maintaining the pop production values that make the song engaging. The three-part texture feels spacious rather than sparse, with each voice contributing to a cohesive soundscape.

Choirs seeking contemporary material with genuine musical substance will find this arrangement accessible yet sophisticated. It works for groups with mixed male voices and higher female voices, and it appeals to singers who connect with pop repertoire from their listening experience.

• Balance the moving parts in the middle section; the alto and bass lines carry harmonic interest that can easily disappear under a dominant soprano melody.
• Lean into the production qualities suggested by the arrangement; clean vowels and precise cutoffs will honor the song's pop sensibility and precision.
• Use dynamics to shape phrases rather than sustaining at one volume level. The original tracks subtle swell and release patterns that translate powerfully to choral sound.

Position this in a concert that mixes genres, where it can sit alongside art songs and traditional repertoire as a genuine artistic choice rather than a novelty. The song's contemplative mood makes it an effective closer for a shorter set or a bridge between contrasting pieces in a longer program.

• Maintaining independence while singing contemporary pop material
• Balancing supporting harmonies with melodic clarity
• Shaping phrases with attention to subtlety and production values
• Recognizing harmonic movement across three-part voicing