Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (arr. Roger Emerson): 2-Part Choral Octavo
Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (arr. Roger Emerson) Sheet Music Preview

Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (arr. Roger Emerson): 2-Part Choral Octavo

As performed by Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole / Arranged by Roger Emerson

Item: 35-DS00435856
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 18
SKU: 35-DS00435856

More about this title

About the Artist: Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole

Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole (1959–1997) was a Hawaiian musician whose rich baritone and ukulele playing brought indigenous Hawaiian music to international audiences. His 1988 medley of "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" became a global phenomenon, particularly after its use in films and documentaries, introducing millions of listeners to his warm, unhurried interpretation of these American standards filtered through Hawaiian sensibility.

Kamakawiwo'ole's approach to these familiar songs stripped away orchestral arrangements and replaced them with the intimacy of voice and ukulele. His version taught a generation that rearrangement is not diminishment but recontextualization, and that a single artist with conviction can reshape how the world hears a song.

Why we love this

Roger Emerson captures the emotional generosity of Kamakawiwo'ole's original in a way that works for young singers without sacrificing the medley's meditative quality. The two-part voicing keeps students focused on the melody's contour and phrasing rather than navigating complex harmony, which means they can channel their energy into the warmth and sincerity that make this arrangement special.

What to expect

Unhurried and reflective, like sitting outside at dusk with someone you trust. The medley moves between quiet wonder and gentle affirmation without ever raising its voice, asking singers to find strength in stillness and singers in the audience to sit with what the music is actually saying.

Who it's for

Choirs working with young singers who need accessible material that still demands musical maturity. This arrangement also serves intermediate ensembles looking for a program piece that feels contemporary and emotionally resonant rather than dated.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening "Somewhere over the rainbow" with a long, patient breath at the end of each phrase. This medley lives in restraint, not volume.
  • Let the transition into "What a Wonderful World" feel like a natural conversation, not a stylistic shift. Both songs share the same emotional temperature.
  • Work the harmonic movement in the second part carefully during rehearsal; it supports rather than dominates the melody, so blend matters more than projection.
  • Consider how a solo vocalist or small ensemble within the choir might sing the opening bars before full choir enters. This honors the intimate origin of Kamakawiwo'ole's version.

How to use it

Pair this with other spiritual or contemplative material to create a concert segment that shifts the room's energy. It works beautifully as a closing number on a program that needs to send people out calm and thoughtful, or as a bridge between high-energy repertoire and ballads.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining legit phrasing across longer melodic lines without pushing volume
  • Listening to and blending with a second part that doesn't double the melody
  • Interpreting American popular standards through a non-Western musical lens
  • Maintaining emotional focus in music that prioritizes restraint over virtuosity

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