Over The Rainbow: Choral Instrumental Pak
By E.Y. Harburg / By Harold Arlen / Arranged by Audrey Snyder
Item: 35-PK00026817
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Description
Here is the treasured song from "The Wizard of Oz" in a simple, elegant setting that will display your ensemble at its best. The beautiful vocal lines, expressive harmonies and well-crafted accompaniment make this a special experience for all. Available for SATB, SAB, SSA and 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 2:30
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00026817
More about this title
About the Composer: E.Y. Harburg
E.Y. Harburg was a lyricist whose gift for emotional directness and singable prosody shaped American musical theater. His partnership with Harold Arlen produced some of the most enduring songs in the standard repertoire, including the Academy Award-winning "Over the Rainbow." Harburg's lyrics balance accessibility with genuine poetic sensibility, making his work natural material for choral arrangement and student performance.
In the classroom, Harburg's work serves as a masterclass in text setting. His lyrics sit naturally on melodic contours, invite expressive phrasing, and reward careful attention to language. For singers at any level, working with his words teaches the inseparable relationship between musical line and lyrical meaning.
Why we love this
Snyder's arrangement respects the emotional core of this iconic melody while giving it room to breathe in choral textures. The string accompaniment anchors the harmony without overwhelming the voices, and the multiple voicing options mean you can program this with confidence regardless of your ensemble size or blend. It's the kind of piece that reminds singers why they love to sing.
What to expect
Yearning and hopeful, with a gentle upward trajectory that mirrors the song's narrative arc. Snyder's accompaniment and harmonization create space for intimacy; this feels like a sincere moment rather than a nostalgic trip.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a concert-quality arrangement of familiar material that audiences recognize immediately. The multiple voicing options make this accessible to developing ensembles while remaining musically substantial enough for advanced groups.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrase "somewhere over the rainbow" with sustained legit tone in the upper voices; this is the narrative heart of the piece, not a decorative moment
- Attend to the expressive harmonies Snyder provides beneath the main melody; they ask for vibrato control and ensemble balance, particularly in the middle sections
- Let the string accompaniment set the emotional tempo; resist rushing the slower sections, which reward patience and tonal beauty
- Prepare the final statement of the melody as an ensemble arrival rather than a solo moment, emphasizing unity of purpose across all voices
How to use it
Program this as a solo feature in a concert built around American standards or film music, where it will anchor the emotional second half. It also works beautifully as a closing piece for a pops concert or end-of-year performance, offering audiences the kind of shared cultural moment that builds audience connection to your program.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing across longer melodic arcs (2:30 duration encourages phrase architecture thinking)
- Balancing solo voice prominence against choral support
- Shaping expressive harmonies with controlled vibrato and ensemble blend
- Coordinating with instrumental accompaniment through dynamic listening