What Could Be Better Than This? (from Moana 2) (arr. Alan Billingsley): 2-Part Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the infectious warmth of the original without overwhelming a developing choir. Billingsley's instinct for what makes a song resonate comes through in the part writing, which gives both lines meaningful melodic content rather than relegating one voice to harmonic filler. At 13 pages, it's substantial enough to feel like a real achievement but short enough to fit into a concert without requiring weeks of rehearsal.

Optimistic and inviting, with the kind of melodic buoyancy that makes audiences smile. The arrangement breathes with genuine warmth rather than manufactured enthusiasm, creating space for singers to invest emotionally in the text while enjoying the musical journey.

Middle school and early high school choirs looking for contemporary repertoire that connects with students. Directors seeking Disney material that avoids oversimplification while remaining accessible for developing ensembles also find strong value here.

• Build the harmony gradually in early rehearsals by having students sing both parts separately before combining them, ensuring each voice owns their line before blend becomes the focus.
• Pay attention to the rhythmic syncopation that gives this song its character; precision here matters more than volume.
• Let the text drive your phrasing rather than locking into square 4-bar units; the conversational quality of the lyric is what makes the song memorable.
• Consider having soloists step forward for certain phrases to showcase individual voices and add textural variety to the arrangement.

Program this as a concert opener to set a bright, engaging tone, or pair it with other contemporary film music to create a thematic set that speaks directly to your students' musical world. It also works beautifully as a community-building piece earlier in the year when ensemble cohesion is still developing.

• Sustaining independent melodic lines in a 2-part texture
• Rhythmic accuracy with syncopated accompaniment figures
• Balancing blend with forward-moving phrasing
• Connecting lyrical content to musical expression
• Reading and performing contemporary popular music in formal choral arrangements