Spirituals from Alice Parker Friday, March 09, 2018
recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists
American conductor, composer, and arranger Alice Parker is perhaps one of the most well-known names in the world of choral music. Many of her arrangements, including those she created in cooperation with Robert Shaw (with whom she studied at Julliard) are now regarded as standard literature.
Balm in Gilead
This traditional spiritual is set with divisi choral parts and requires a mezzo-soprano soloist who can soar over the choir, carry the music and bring style and passion to the rendering. Beautiful legato and dynamically subtle singing by the choir is a must with the results being a most satisfying performance for singer and listener.
By an’ By
Light, fast, strong and accented describe this arrangement of the traditional spiritual. This is a wonderful contrast to the heavy style so often associated with traditional spirituals. Each of the voice parts gets to carry the melody throughout the course of the arrangement creating extra interest for the singers.
Keep Your Hand On That Plow
This traditional spiritual comes out of the work song tradition. It is firm and strong and features a baritone soloist who instructs the singers to “keep their hands on the plow.” The call and response between soloist and choir is classic and offers a wonderful opportunity to teach this style so important in our history.
Tell ‘Em I’m Gone
A heavy blues beat defines this arrangement of this traditional spiritual. The arranger calls for “wailing” and the passion required from the chorus and the mezzo-soprano soloist are critical in bringing this arrangement to life. This is a classic example of the concert spiritual.
You Can Tell the World
This arrangement of a traditional spiritual is set in an easy swing style and is a song full of hope and joy. All of the voice parts contain divisi and are exposed, allowing the opportunity to feature each section. The end of this arrangement diminuendos to a soft and simple statement signifying the inner joy that each of us can experience when we allow it to happen.
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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 across the country, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.