Wheels of a Dream: TTB Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's TTB arrangement captures the dramatic weight of this Ragtime centerpiece while remaining performable by developing singers. The vocal lines have character and independence without sacrificing the accessibility that makes this piece work in a school choir setting. Programming a Broadway selection of this caliber elevates a concert and gives singers an authentic connection to contemporary musical theatre literature.

Ragtime's emotional journey infuses this piece with urgency and dramatic weight. The arrangement captures the yearning and propulsive energy of the original while honoring the musical's blend of turn-of-the-century Americana and contemporary storytelling.

This octavo works well for treble or mixed choirs in grades 9-12, or college/community ensembles looking to add substantial Broadway repertoire to their concert. Singers need secure part-reading skills and some experience with syncopated rhythms, but the arrangement is crafted to be attainable for serious high school programs.

• Balance the three parts carefully in the opening sections so that no single line dominates; this arrangement thrives when all three voices share equal presence in establishing the harmonic foundation.
• Work with your recorded accompaniment early in rehearsals to establish the ragtime rhythmic feel and ensure the choir locks into the syncopation naturally.
• Shape phrases with the text in mind; Broadway singing demands clarity of lyric delivery, so practice diction alongside the melodic contour to avoid sacrificing either.
• Pay attention to dynamic contrasts within the 12-page score; dramatic pieces like this often contain moments of restraint that make the fuller passages land with greater impact.

Use this as a centerpiece for a concert focused on Broadway and popular musical theatre, pairing it with other contemporary musical selections for a cohesive program. The 12-page length and dramatic arc also make it suitable as the closing number for a spring concert where you want to leave audiences with a powerful, memorable piece.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a ragtime idiom
• Balancing independent melodic lines within a three-part texture
• Connecting lyrical delivery to musical phrasing in a Broadway context
• Ensemble cohesion across longer, more complex arrangements (12 pages)