News & Views Thursday, March 28, 2024

Spirituals for Choir Friday, December 29, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists

FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS
All Night All DayAll Night, All Day arr. Greg Gilpin
Charged with gospel-style excitement, this traditional spiritual, in new SATB and SSA voicings, comes alive in energy and style. A powerful chorus, hand claps, stacked vocal section and key change builds to a big ending that is sure to please your singers and audience.

I Can See the River JordanI Can See the River Jordan
by Jay Althouse
This sturdy original is composed in the style of a traditional spiritual. A symbolic text leads to crossing metaphoric River Jordan as the music recalls songs from early America. Opens with brief solos, builds to a hand clapping almost a cappella bridge, and concludes only after full choral harmonies fade and voices unite on a single pitch.

Let Me FlyLet Me Fly arr. Kirby Shaw
In a bright, spirited a cappella swing, this traditional spiritual is so fun to learn and sing! The energy is built right in to the rhythmic text and the contemporary harmonies are delightful. Optional descant sits on top of the final choruses taking the piece to a “high flying” end!

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS
Ezekiel Saw the WheelEzekiel Saw the Wheel arr. Mary Lynn Lightfoot
Looking for a fun, creative programming contrast to add some sparkle and zest to your next concert? This lively, spirited setting of the traditional spiritual is certain to fit the bill. Complete with handclaps and snaps, young and developing choirs are certain to enjoy this playful and engaging arrangement.

FOR WOMEN’S CHOIRS
Goin' Home on a CloudGoin’ Home on a Cloud arr. Cristi Cary Miller
Opening expressively with a solo, this spiritual favorite moves then forward into a brisk tempo that will showcase developing SSA choirs with style! Well-written vocal parts and a supportive accompaniment make this appealing for middle through high school treble choirs.

I Couldn't Hear Nobody PrayI Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray arr. Victor C. Johnson
Johnson’s dynamic and spirited a cappella setting of the traditional spiritual opens with an expressive choral introduction before it kicks into high gear. One or more soloists can be featured in the call and response section which leads into an exhilarating section of vocal layering and interesting textures before its strong, powerful conclusion.

FOR MEN’S CHOIRS
Roll Jordan RollRoll Jordan Roll arr. Ruth Morris Gray
A rhythmic piano accompaniment drives this well-crafted arrangement of the classic spiritual. Singers will love the crescendoing choral riff that connects the syncopated refrains to the call and response verses. A vibrant descant grows more and more soulful toward the end, bringing the piece to a climactic close!

Walk in JerusalemWalk in Jerusalem arr. Rollo Dilworth
Already available for SATB and SSA, now, at last, an arrangement for men. With a powerful piano accompaniment, your men will really be able to “dig in” and sing with the full power of their voices.

Wade in the WaterWade in the Water arr. Dan Davison
Wade In the Water was written specifically to bring success to male choirs of all ages. With comfortable vocal ranges for young tenors and basses, Davison’s arrangement has a strong, driving beat, and serves to highlight the male choirs’ masculine sound.

If you have any questions about these or other similar pieces, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext.1. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


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