Spirituals A Cappella Arrangements

Spirituals are the Southern sacred "folk" songs created and first sung by African Americans during slavery. Their original composers are unknown, and they have assumed a position of collective ownership by the whole community. They lend themselves easily to communal singing. Many are in a call-and-response structure, with back-and-forth exchanges between the leader and the group. A formal concert tradition has evolved from the original spirituals, with solo and choral arrangements based on original slave melodies, employed for performance by amateur and professional artists.

Spirituals for Mixed Voices

Andre J. Thomas: Way Over in Beulah Lan' - Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual

Understanding The Spiritual
The Origin and Development of The Spiritual
From Oral Tradition To The Printed Page
Beyond The Printed Page To Shaping An Art
Performing The Spiritual
From The Printed Page To The Concert Stage
Reflections On Six Spirituals
Interviews With Dr. Anton Armstrong and Prof. Judith Willoughby

Renowned choral conductor and educator André J. Thomas has crafted a book that the conductor of any choral ensemble-be it church, high school, university, or professional-will want close at hand when preparing to program any concert spiritual. Understanding the Spiritual, the first of the book's two sections, includes an exploration of the beginnings of the spiritual, its role in society and its transition into art music. Issues of interpretation-text, diction, rhythm and tempo-are addressed in the second section, Performing the Spiritual. In addition to interviews with noted conductors Dr. Anton Armstrong and Prof. Judith Willoughby as to matters of performance and selection, the centerpiece of this section is Dr. Thomas's personal reflections on several spiritual arrangements, including his rehearsal techniques (with specific examples and measure-number references to the included scores), as well as an insightful look into his decisions of interpretation.

6487 BOOK $34.95

Edited by Bob Chilcott: Spirituals For Choirs

All My Trials
Balm in Gilead
By an By
Deep River
Didn't It Rain
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit
Goin' Home to God
Go Tell It On The Mountain
I Got A Robe
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
Joshua fit The Battle Of Jericho
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Peter, Go Ring Them Bells
Steal Away
Surely He Died On Calvary
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Wade In The Water
Way Over In Beulah-lan'
Were You There?

An exciting collection of 20 specially commissioned arrangements almost all of which are a cappella. The contents reflect the richness and diversity of the spiritual tradition, including many much-loved favourites like "All My Trials". "Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho" and "Steal Away" alongside exquisite discoveries that are less well known. All burst with freshness and invention to provide singers with inspirational, moving and above all enjoyable repertoire. As well as contributing five new pieces, the compiler Bob Chilcott has assembled a top selection of arrangers including Joseph Jennings, JohnWashburn and Steve Barnett. The result is a dazzling array of styles, from the introspective to the estatic (including a stylish gospel-influenced song or two along the way). With a mixture of large and small-scale pieces, there's something here for every choir whatever its forces or level of expertise. (SATB)

6702 SONGBOOK $14.95

King's Singers: Spirituals

Deep River
Down to the River to Pray
Joshua
Keep in the Middle of the Road
Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Stand Still, Jordan
Standing in the Need of Prayer
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot



SATB a cappella

Here for the first time in one collection are well-known traditional spirituals in the King's Singers own performing editions. This third volume in the Colour of Song series contains works from their past repertoire as well as two brand new arrangements. Also includes performance notes for each song.

6142 SONGBOOK $6.95

Richard Allain: Spirituals - A Collection

Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?
Go Down in De Lonesome Valley
Walk Together, Children
Go Down, Moses
Were You There?
Gonna Set Downan' Rest
Don't You Weep When I am Gone
Scandalize' My Name
Steal Away
'Tis Me, O Lord
Give Me Jesus


SATB a cappella

Eleven superb arrangements of classic and lesser-known spirituals covering a wide range of styles and moods, from simple four-part settings to extended eight-part compositions. These stunning settings can be performed as a set or individually, and are ideal choices for concerts, festivals, or even as surprising encores! A cappella with rehearsal keyboard.

5035 SONGBOOK $19.95

Moses Hogan The Oxford Book Of Spirituals

Listen To The Lambs
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
My Lord, What A Mornin'
Jesus Is A Rock In a Weary Lan'
Ezekiel Saw Da Wheel
Here's One
Let Us Break Bread Together
If I Got My Ticket, Can I Ride?
Little Innocent Lamb
Any How
Daniel, Daniel, Servant Of The Lord
Fix Me, Jesus
Amen
A City Called Heaven
Were You There?
I Want God's Heaven To Be Mine
The Lilly of The Valley
Keep Your Lamps!
Witness
My Good Lord's Done Been Here
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'round
Glory To The New Born King
By an' By
Look What dey Doin' to Jesus
The Battle Of Jericho
Lord, How Come Me Here?

African-American spirituals comprise one of the world's greatest and best-loved bodies of music, appealing to both performers and audiences across all boundries. This book is the first anthology to present a comprehensive survey of the genre's reperoire - its principal composers, themes and forums - in a way this is at once stylistally authentic, historically meaningful and intended for practical use both in worship and in concert. Included is a rich array of songs, both familiar and less familiar, arranged by twenty eight of the most significant composers and presented in chronological order from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. The selections illustrate the history of the spiritual as an art form - from the first serious attempts at notation in ways that approximated actual performance styles, through an arrangement by one of today's most exciting composer-arrangers Moses Hogan.

6703 SONGBOOK $18.95

Moses Hogan - Feel The Spirit

With a foreward by Andre Thomas, this collection of Moses Hogan spiritual arrangements is a welcome addition to any director's library and is a fitting tribute to to this late great American composer and conductor.

Abide With Me
Ain't That Good News
The Battle of Jericho
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel
Do Lord, Remember Me
Down By the Riverside
Elijah Rock
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Ezekiel Saw de Wheel
God's Gonna Set This World on Fire
Good News, the Chariot's Comin'
Great Day
Hear My Prayer
I Can Tell the World
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
I Got a Robe
I Know the Lord's Laid His Hands on Me
I Stood on the River of Jordan
I Want Jesus to Walk With Me
I Want to Be Ready
I Want to Thank You, Lord
I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart
Jesus Lay Your Head in the Window
Little David, Play On Your Harp
Lord, I Want To Be A Christian
My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord
Oh Mary, Don't You Weep Don't You Mourn
Ride the Chariot
Standing in the Need of Prayer
Steal Away
There Is A Balm in Gilead
This Little Light of Mine
Wade in the Water
Walk Together, Children
We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace
2847 SONGBOOK $18.95

Moses Hogan - Feel The Spirit 2

With a foreward by Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director, Craig Jessop, this new collection of Moses Hogan originals and arrangements is a welcome addition to the first volume. Essential for every director's library

Cert'nly Lawd
Clibin' Up the Mountain
De Blin' Man Stood On De Road An' Cried
Deep River
Give Me Jesus
Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King
Hold On!
I Am His Child
I Got A Home in-a Dat Rock
I'll Make the Difference
Let the Heaven Light Shine on Me
Lift Every Voice for Freedom
Like a Mighty Stream
Mister Banjo
Music Down In My Soul
My God Is So High
No Hidin' Place
O Magnify the Lord
Old Time Religion
Reide On, King Jesus
Spiritual Reflection, A
Stand By Me
Surely he Died On Calvary
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
There's a Man Goin' Round
We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace
Who Built the Ark?
You Better Min' How You Talk
2847 SONGBOOK $18.95

Moses Hogan: Traditional Spirituals

The Battle of Jericho
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
God's Gonna Set This World on Fire
I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves In My Heart
Old Time Religion
Elijah Rock
I Want to Thank You, Lord
(SATB, some divisi)

SATB

Moses Hogan's contemporary settings of spirituals, original compositions, and other works have been enthusiastically accepted by audiences around the globe and have become staples in the repertoires of high school, college, church, community and professional choirs everywhere. Here is a taste of some of his best work.

3333 SONGBOOK $10.98

Moses Hogan: Traditional Spirituals II

Abide With Me (SATB divisi)
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel (SATB divisi)
Down By The Riverside(SATB)
Give Me Jesus (SATB divisi)
I Can Tell The World (SATB divisi)
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray (SATB divisi)
I Got A Home In Dat Rock (SATB divisi)

Moses Hogan's contemporary settings of spirituals, original compositions, and other works have been enthusiastically accepted by audiences around the globe and have become staples in the repertoires of high school, college, church, community and professional choirs everywhere. Here is a taste of some of his best work.

3343 SONGBOOK $10.98

Moses Hogan: Traditional Spirituals III

I Know The Lord's Laid His Hands On Me (SATB divisi)
Jesus, Lay Your Head In The Window (SATB divisi)
Little David, Play On Your Harp (SATB divisi)
Ride On, King Jesus (SATB divisi)
Standing In Need Of A Prayer (SATB divisi)
Steal Away (SATB divisi)
There Is A Balm In Gilead (SATB divisi)

More of Moses Hogan's most exciting arrangements.

3344 SONGBOOK $10.98

Moses Hogan: The Deep River Collection

He Never Said A Mumblin Word
My Good Lord's Been Done Here, Were You There?
He's Got the Whole World in his Hands
Give Me Jesus
Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Door
Let Us Break Bread Together
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Walk Together Children

3346 High Voice SONGBOOK $16.98
3347 Low Voice SONGBOOK $16.98

Moses Hogan: Selections From Deep River

Hear My Prayer SATB
Ride the Chariot SATB
I Want To Be Ready SATB
You Better Min' How You Talk SATB
A Spiritual Reflection SATB
Good News, The Chariot's Comin' SATB
We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace SATB
Who Built The Ark? SATB

3345 SHEETMUSIC $12.98

Jester Hairston: A Celebration Of His Life In

Elijah Rock (SSATB)
Let The Church Roll On (SATB)
Angels Rolled De Stone Away (SATB)
Poor Man Lazrus (SATB)
Don't Be Weary Traveller (SSATB)
Great God A'Mighty (SATB)
Amen (SATB)

A 48 page 9 x 12 SATB choral folio including many of this talented composer's spirituals plus a biography, photos and a list of published works.

1201 SONGBOOK $23.98

Jester Hairston: Spirituals and Folk Songs

Angels Rolled De Stone Away
Aurore Pradere
Brother Rabbit
Free At Last
Give Me Jesus
I Heard From Heaven Today
My Lord's A-Writin' All De Time
Nobody Knows De Trouble I See, Lord
Oh My Lovin' Brother
Po' Ol' Lazrus
Sandy Anna (TTBB)
Sanguree
Somebody's Knocking At Your Door
Sweet Potatoes
Wasn't That A Mighty Day?
You Better Mind

2839 SONGBOOK $9.98

Alice Parker and Melodious Accord: Take Me To The Water

I Know the Lord
Stayed on Jesus
Come On Up to Bright Glory
Don't Be Weary, Traveler
Hush! Hush!
We WIll March Through the Valley
He Is King of Kings
Let Us Break Bread Together
Is There Anybody Here
Free At Last
Take Me to the Water
Cert'nly, Lord
Who'll Be A Witness

The Musicians of Melodious Accord are a 16-voice professional chorus in New York City, offering recordings and concerts of many styles. Their conductor, Alice Parker, is internationally known as a composer, arranger, conductor and teacher, with a passion for true folksongs. "Take Me to the Water" is the command, request and plea (founded on John 4:14) made by those who seek the "well of water springing up into everlasting life." It serves as a unifying phrase for the powerful African-American spiritual songs in this collection, which come from the mid-19th century and earlier, from such sources as "Slave Songs," published in NY in 1867. 13 a cappella songs, sung with tremendous feeling, strength and sweetness by the MMA, from "I Know the Lord," "Come On Up to Bright Glory" and "Hush! Hush!" to "Free at Last," the title tune, and "Who'll Be a Witness." "Take Me" is a beautiful, inspirational collection!

6866 SONGBOOK $13.98

Alice Parker / Robert Shaw: Singin' in the Spirit




I'm Goin' to Sing
Steal Away
I Got Shoes
Deep River
John Saw duh Numbuh

SATB a cappella

An exciting collection of five classic spiritual settings which can be performed separately or together as a suite.

8592 SONGBOOK $6.95

Rollo Dillworth: Spirituals for Mixed Voices Vol 1



Jeremiah’s Fire!
De Gospel Train
Since I Laid My Burdens Down
Sistah Mary
Roll, Jordan, Roll!

SATB a cappella

Opening with a slow rendition of 'Get on Board Little Children,' 'De Gospel Train' quickly picks up steam arriving at a memorable final chorus. Building from an opening ostinato to a rousing finish, 'Since I Laid My Burdens Down' can be performed a cappella or accompanied. Dilworth pays homage to Moses Hogan in his powerhouse, 'Jeremiah's Fire.' A tambourine drives the rhythm as the fiery vocals build to a breathtaking ending. Spectacular! Enjoy the challenge and reward of this contemporary setting of the traditional spiritual 'Sistah Mary' with its vibrant rhythms and fresh harmonization. An exciting and dramatic setting of the traditional spiritual "Roll, Jordan, Roll!", this substantial work is brimming with brilliance and virtuosity for choirs up to the challenge!

9519 SHEET MUSIC $8.50

Various Arrangers: Spirituals for Mixed Voices Vol 2



Working with Joy, by Larry Nickel
Dem Bones, arr. Larry Nickel
Good Christian People, Rejoice, arr. Larry Nickel
Hold Me, Rock Me, by Brian Tate
Home in D'Rock, arr. Brian Tate

SATB a cappella

'Working with Joy' is a Jubilant Spiritual. It starts out with the men singing unison and the women accompanying them with soaring 3-part harmony, by the time it splits into 5-part harmony the piece really takes off, adding clapping to the mix, this is a fun tune! 'Dem Bones' is a fun, yet sometimes somber spiritual. Your choir will get a kick out of this song when they realize that this song is where that fun song 'the knee bone connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone connected to the hip bone' came from (almost everyone sang that growing up!). 'Good Christian People Rejoice' is a beautiful tune with gorgeous harmony and lots of divisi parts, your choir is sure to be challenged and excited when singing this wonderful piece. 'Hold me, Rock Me' is another fun and challenging piece. It starts by bringing voices in one at a time, when all voices are finally singing together the sopranos take over the melody and the rest of the voices sing beautiful vocal accompanyment, immitating arpeggiated chords. Throughout the song the solo moves from one voice to the other, making it a great opportunity for all voice parts to shine. The composer of 'Home in d'Rock' suggests the feeling of this piece should be quite loose, as suggested by the shuffle groove set up by the djembe (although te song may still be performed a cappella). The song calls for more of a Folk/R&B style of singing than a classical style.

9547 SHEET MUSIC $8.95

Various Arrangers: Spirituals for Mixed Voices Vol 3



Witness - arr. Jack Halloran
Rockin' Jerusalem - arr. Robert L. Morris
Wade in the Water - arr. Rosephanye Powell
Somebody's Knockin' A Yo' Do' - arr. Stacey V. Gibbs

SATB divis a cappella

In "Witness", the men and women start in a call and response fashion, the next change comes with a fun walkin bass line with the rest of the voices singing beautiful harmonies... this is a fun tune! The rhythmic and expressive setting of the well known Spiritual, 'Rockin' Jerusalem' is a tribute to the work of Dale Warland. This arrangement will make an inspiring concert work for a skilled A Cappella choir. Originally, 'Wade in the Water' was a code song of the African-American slave that cautioned slaves to travel by water on their journey to freedom. Powell's arrangement captures the drama with beautiful harmony and powerful dynamics. The light humming of harmonies that start 'Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Do'' will give you an idea of how exciting this piece could become, and sure enough it doesn't faulter from that expectation once throughout the song, this is a fantastic arrangement!

9550 SHEET MUSIC $6.95

Various Arrangers: African American Spirituals Vol 1

Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name (arr. Brazeal Dennard)
My Soul's Been Anchored in De Lord (arr. Glenn Jones)
Take My Mother Home (arr. Craig Westendorf)
O Lord, Have Mercy (arr. Roy Belfield)
I Want To Be Ready (arr. Roy Belfield)
Climbin' Up The Mountain (arr. Russell Robinson)
Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'Round (arr. Philip Kern)

SATB

From the Mark Foster catalog, "Take My Mother Home" is an especially pictorial and dramatic spiritual for Holy Week. Craig Westendorf has chosen an expressive melody to recall Christ’s concern for His mother. It is direct and powerful without sentimentality. Sung a cappella with baritone soloist, the repetitive use of the word “nailin’” beneath the second verse is particularly effective. Take My Mother Home could be used within the context of the passion reading by liturgical churches and is also suitable for Lent or Holy Week. All congregations will find this poignant and unique anthem to be a dramatic and moving addition to worship. A tremendously joyful anthem about “kingdom come”! Roy Belfield has artfully arranged this light and bouncy spiritual, "I Want To Be Raedy," with wonderful interplay between voices. Optional solos give soprano and/or tenor stars a chance to shine, and a middle section split between four-part women and four-part men gives each section a chance to really show what they’ve got! I Want to Be Ready has contagious energy, and such a wonderful picture of heaven—what unbridled happiness when we “walk in Jerusalem just like John.” "Climbin' Up The Mountain," is newly arranged by Russell Robinson in a robust a cappella setting with solo opportunities. With its repetitive sections, this piece is not difficult; however, with the exciting key change and strong ending, the singer and listener are captured by the sound and energy of this great arrangement. This unusual, traditional spiritual is not often found. Phil Kern has arranged this exciting, version on "Don't Let Nobody Turn You" which makes its mark with a driving, hushed energy, fantastic solo lines and an ending that will set your audience on fire. This arrangement is smart, musically exciting and fresh. Also included in this package are "Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name," "My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord," and "Take My Mother Home."

9297 SHEET MUSIC $10.95


Various Arrangers: African American Spirituals Vol 2

Dem Bones (arr. Larry Nickel)
Ain't That News (arr Stephen Hatfield)
Deep River (arr. Donald Frederick)
Bright Mansions (arr. K. Lee Scott)
Drinkin' Of The Wine (arr. Rosephanye Powell)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (arr, David Brunner)

SATB

The familiar portions of 'Dem Bones' dance delightfully and are surrounded by meaningful choral statements, especially the ending 'Breathe On Me Breath of God.' The title of 'Ain't That News' is a tribute to the superb Staple Singers, who dang a piece by that name, not otherwise quoted in this chart. The opening seven measures are an adaptation of an old Paul Robeson 78. The rest of the piece is original material intended to pay homage to both the black church and black popo music, just one of the many genres that owes its soul to the spiritual. The composer states, “My goal is to allow even the most demure chorister to have at least a little taste of what it would be like to be Aretha Franklin.” Donald R. Frderick's arrangement of 'Deep River' is short but sweet with beautiful 4 part harmonies. The beautiful sound of 'Bright Mansions' is brought to life with great excitement in K. Lee Scott's arrangement. Multiple sections featuring only male voices and a soaring descant towards the end of the piece make this gospel tune a true gem. Rosephanye Powell has become one of the most popular new choral writers to burst on the scene. 'Drinking of the Wine' was commissioned by the Truman State University Chorus, conducted by R. Paul Crabb. The text weaves together stories from the Bible with images of the hardship of life. 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' is treated in an expressive, upbeat and playful manner in this arrangement. It is rhythmically challenging – a pervasive triplet feel with some interesting and unexpected twists.

9312 SHEET MUSIC $9.95


Robert DeCormier: Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Walk Together, Children
Stars Shinin' By n' By
Ride On, King Jesus
Let Me Fly

SATB a cappella

Rediscover the fine arrangements of Robert DeCormier in this elegant new collection of five of his best-loved spirituals.

8632 SONGBOOK $7.95

Dominick Argento: Spirituals and Swedish Chorales

So I'll Sing With My Voice
Vi Lofve Dig, O Store Gud
There's Singing Up In Heaven
En Dag Skall Uppga For Var Syn
What Can That Shadow Be
a Ar Fulkkomnadt, Jesu Kar

Six beautiful and challenging original works by Dominick Argento. The works with Swedish text have English translations.

9131 SONGBOOK $7.50

Alice Parker / Robert Shaw: Favorite American Spirituals

Deep River
Don't Be Wary, Traveler (Merel Young)
Goin' To Set Down An' Rest Awhile (Merel Young)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Walk Together Children

9178 SONGBOOK $3.95

J.B.T. Marsh: The Jubilee Singers and Their Songs

Fisk University was founded in 1866 to provide higher education for freed African-Americans after the Civil War. To raise money for the institution in Nashville, Tennessee, the school's chorus--known as the Jubilee Singers--began performing concerts of Negro folk songs and spirituals. Their popularity and fame spread rapidly. Before the group disbanded in 1880, it had toured the northern states, performed at Boston's World Peace Jubilee and at the White House, sung for Queen Victoria and toured Great Britain and Europe. This book recounts their remarkable story and is supplemented by 139 great spirituals, complete with text, and fully notated in both open score and in a two-stave keyboard reduction ideal for rehearsal and performance. Songs include such all-time favorites as "Down by the river," "Go down, Moses," "Way over Jordan," "This old-time religion," and many, many more. Unabridged republication of The Story of the Jubilee Singers, originally published by The Cleveland Printing and Publishing Co., Ohio, 1892.

6339 SONGBOOK $12.95

John W. Work: American Negro Songs - 230 Folk Songs and Spirituals, Religious and Secular

From joyous gospel to deeply felt blues, this wonderful collection contains vintage songs sung and played through the years by black Americans - at work, in church and for pure entertainment. Included are spirituals, blues, work songs, and a variety of social and dance songs. This book was originally compiled by Dr. John Work, the noted musicologist affiliated with Fisk University and the celebrated Fisk Jubilee Singers and is a indispensable treasury of music for singers seeking a comprehensive sourcebook of black American folk music.

9590 SONGBOOK $12.95

Tom Fettke: Spiritual Songs From Cold Mountain



Great High Mountain
Wayfaring Stranger
I'm Going Home

The heartfelt authenticity of these Appalachian-based spiritual songs shine in this new trilogy arranged by Tom Fettke. Featuring songs from the award-winning film Cold Mountain, this collection contains singable settings of three songs which offer a unique and transparent worship mood. Perform separately at any time during the year or together as a complete worship package. For mixed voices and piano.

9322 SONGBOOK $3.95

Al McNeil: Al McNeil Spirituals



My Long White Robe
John, The Revelator
All My Trials
Open The Window, Noah
O Mary, Don't You Weep
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Hold Out Your Light

Treat yourself to seven, rousing spirituals by Albert McNeil, who is well-known to the national choral community, having been honored on four occasions with "Command Performances" before the prestigious American Choral Directors Association in 1981 in New Orleans, in 1985 at their Salt Lake City Convention, at their 1997 convention in San Diego, California, and most recently in February, 2000, at Los Angeles during the ACDA Western Division Convention held on the campus of Loyola-Marymount University.

3336 SHEET MUSIC $8.50

Hall Johnson: Spirituals

Great Day!
Fix Me, Jesus
O Freedom!
I've Been Buked
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
When I Was Sinkin' Down
Aint Got Time To Die
Elijah Rock


SATB divisi

Hall Johnson was a noted violinist, conductor and arranger of spirituals. The slave songs and spirituals that he heard his grandmother sing were a catalyst for him founding the Hall Johnson Choir in 1925. Here are 8 of his beautiful a cappella arrangements.

9277 SHEET MUSIC $11.95

Robert DeCormier: Hallelujah



Hallelujah
Walk Together, Children
Stars Shinin' By n' By
Ride On, King Jesus
Let Me Fly

SATB a cappella

Rediscover the fine arrangements of Robert DeCormier in this elegant new collection of five of his best-loved spirituals.

8632 SONGBOOK $7.95

K. Scott Warren: Three Spirituals

Great Day!
Fix Me, Jesus
O Freedom!
I've Been Buked
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
When I Was Sinkin' Down
Aint Got Time To Die
Elijah Rock


SATB divisi

This lively setting of 'Ain'-a That Good News' is perfect for all choirs looking to energize any church service or concert. A chromatic modulation jump starts each new verse, as the energy and excitement is ratcheted up a notch. The canon in the penultimate verse adds variety to the otherwise homophonic texture, and the music finishes brightly with volume and excitement. Warren rejuvenates 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' by skilfully varying the metre between 7/8 and 6/8 in the refrain and presenting each verse differently. This clever arrangement is perfectly suited for concerts and church services alike. In the haunting and plaintive setting of 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,' Warren creatively evokes a stark tone of loneliness and despair with descending chromatic inner voices in the opening. What follows is a rich, reflective harmonic texture filled with chromatic surprises.

9597 SHEET MUSIC $9.95

Spirituals for Female Voices

Kirby Shaw: Women's Spirituals Vol 1



Amazing Grace
Wade In The Water
Sinner Man
Stand on the Rock
Down By The Riverside
Plenty Good Room (On the Glory Train)

SSAA a cappella

The treatment of the classic spiritual 'Wade In The Water" by Kirby Shaw includes the elements that always seem to “work”: a soulful solo, supportive choral parts that have their own interest, and new verses that are seamless in the story. Designed to showcase that special soloist in your choir, "Down By The Riverside" gets an upbeat a cappella treatment that allows for an optional audience sing-/snap-along. John Newton's famous and beloved hymn "Amazing Grace" is perhaps one of the most well-known song in the world. This traditional setting will surely have a profound effect on your singers and audiences. Hold on to your choir robes! The invigorating a cappella adaptation of "Sinner Man", one of the great traditional spirituals, will bring your audience to their feet! Uplifting lyrics, fun-to-sing melodies and a unique form of "Stand On The Rock" will make this new original spiritual an instant hit – “smack dab in the middle of the spirit zone”!

9013 SHEET MUSIC $8.95

Various Arrangers: Women's Spirituals Vol 2

Wade in the Watah (arr. Ysaye Barnwell)
This Little Light of Mine (arr. Ysaye Barnwell)
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (arr. Nina Gilbert)
Git on Board The Gospel Train (arr. Jacqueline Hairston)
I Hear A Voice A-Prayin' (arr. Houston Bright)

SSAA a cappella

Ysaye Barnwell is a member of Sweet Honey in the Rock and the unique stylings and vocal techniques of that famed ensemble are evident in this piece. "Wade in the Watah" borrows from another spiritual, Done Made My Vow, and references the great Harriet Tubman as freedom’s guide. The incredible “train effects” are amazing. The broad range of this piece, which occasionally divides into six-part treble, covers the full spectrum from low D to high B! A most impressive entry for contest, festival, or worship. Wade in the Watah will leave listeners in awe! Energetic and electric, this dynamic arrangement of the familiar spiritual, "This Little Light of Mine", will become a favorite of singers and audiences, alike. Tight harmonies and playful syncopation make this piece so much fun, it seems effortless. Altos will love their moment in the spotlight with instructions such as “chesty and raucous,” and each vocal part gets its own time to shine. A great concert, contest, or festival selection. Heard here is “Muse,” Cincinnati’s Womens Choir, Catherine Roma, conductor. " Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" - Rich, chromatic harmonies and a bluesy accompaniment support a fabulous soprano or tenor solo in this mournful spiritual. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child has long been a favorite of choirs and soloists alike, and this soulful arrangement has something for everybody.

9296 SHEET MUSIC $7.95

Various Arrangers: Women's Spirituals Vol 3

Down in the Valley to Pray, arr. Michael Cleveland
Wade in the Water, arr. Marion Verhaalen
Some of These Days, arr. Paul Rardin
Amazing Grace, arr. Joan Szymko
Simple Gifts, arr. Amy Dalton

SSAA a cappella

'Down in the Valley to Pray' was featured in the film 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' (only it was titled 'Down in River to Pray'), workers in a field sang the song with great fervor as they swung their hoes plowing the land. The song is African-American in origin, perhaps with some Appalachian influence due to the use of the pentatonic scale. The piece should be sung with great energy, with an ever-strong pulse on the first beat of the measure. The ever-popular spiritual, 'Wade in the Water' is especially fun to sing in this arrangement. It lends itself to accompaniment well, or it can be sung a cappella. The great 3 part harmony mixed with the very expressive dynamics make it very fun to sing. The wonderful melody hardly needs decoration. At times, indeed, it seems that harmony merely gets in its way. This arrangement is intended to highlight the tune's effectiveness through its simple and straightforward persentation. With the possible exception of a slight slowing in the final few measures, the piece should remain in tempo thorughout, and dynamics should err on the side of comfortably soft. 'The 'river' figure should remain a background murmur with little or no change in dynamic. Joan Szymko's 'Amazing Grace' is very exciting, there isn't a boring line in any voice part. 'Simple Gifts' is one of 12.000 songs composed by the Shakers during the middle of the nineteenth century. Thought to be written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, the song was both an instruction for like as well sa an instruction for dancing. This arrangement starts out unison before breaking off into glorious 4 part women's harmonies.

9458 SHEET MUSIC $7.95

Nina Gilbert: Three Shaker Spirituals

Oh, The Beautiful Treasure
We Will Walk with Mother and Mourn
Hop Up and Jump Up


SSAA a cappella

Explore the American heritage of Shaker hymnody with these three settings of lesser-known, very appealing Shaker spirituals. Each brief setting grows from its underlying melody to make an exceptionally unified arrangement. With a different technique as the focus for each arrangement, these minute-long pieces make fine vocalises for your choir. "Oh the beautiful treasure," with its square rhythms, horn calls, and harmonic texture opening out and closing, is excellent for teaching chord tuning. "We will walk with Mother and mourn," with its smooth, stepwise, rising and falling melody, is a fine exercise for legato singing. "Hop up and jump up," with its crisp rhythms and phrase fragments tossed from part to part, calls for rhythmic clarity and clean entrances and cutoffs.

8035 SHEET MUSIC $3.95

Kari Ala-Pollanen: Negro Spirituals for SA Chorus

Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Standin' in the Need of Prayer
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
By an' By
Mary Had a Baby
Little David
Babylon's Fallin'.

SA cappella

Finnish choral conductor and composer Kari Ala-Pöllänen is the director of the acclaimed Tapiola Choir in Finland and is highly regarded thruout Europe. Here is a collection of her arrangements of Negro spirituals for SA chorus.

9653 SONGBOOK $8.95

Spirituals for Male Voices

Various: Men's Spirituals

Stand on the Rock (arr. Kirby Shaw)
In That Great Gettin' Up Morning
Guide My Head
Keep In The Middle Of The Road
My Lord What A Mornin'
Old Arks A Movin' / Steal Away (arr. Bartholomew)
Don't Touch My Garment (arr. Robert Shaw)
Wade In The Water (arr. Kirby Shaw)

TTBB

A fine collection of traditional and modern spirituals that are bound to get your group swayin' and a prayin'. These stiring and heartfelt songs will inspire audience and singers alike.

4408 SHEET MUSIC $11.98

Various Arrangers: Men's Spirituals Vol 2

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit (arr. Moses Hogan/James Rodde)
Sinner Man (arr. Kirby Shaw)
Heaven Somewhere (arr. Stephen Hatfield)
Go Down, Moses (arr. Moses Hogan)
Joshua
Deep River (Norman Luboff)
Witness (arr. Moses Hogan)
Plenty Good Room (arr. Moses Hogan)
Rise An' Shine (arr. Moses Hogan)

TTBB

Experience this fiery work, "Every Time I Feel The Spirit" and “feel the Spirit” add vitality to any choral program. Hold on to your choir robes! This invigorating a cappella adaptation of "Sinner Man" will bring your audience to their feet! In keeping with Sister Rosetta Tharpe's stylistic blend, this arrangement of "Heaven Somewhere" has a funky doo-wop flavored middle section that reminds us just how many different rock styles go back to the gospel source. In , "Go Down, Moses," Moses Hogan's contemporary settings of spirituals, original compositions, and other works have been enthusiastically accepted by audiences around the globe and have become staples in the repertoires of high school, college, church, community and professional choirs everywhere. Perhaps the spiritual closest associated with Norman Luboff's arranging style is "Deep River." It requires the fine singing of a well trained a cappella choir, high school choir and beyond. Moderately difficult. Destined to become a standard this new setting of "Witness" for men's voices features the classic Moses Hogan style. Opening with a section of sustained close harmony, "Plenty Of Good Room," moves into a medium tempo jazz-flavored groove that's pure delight! An ideal showcase for men's chorus! From the quiet beginning to the joy-filled ending, your men will gladly proclaim, “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory!”

9260 SHEET MUSIC $14.95

Various Arrangers: Men's Spirituals Vol 3



Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name - arr. Brazeal W. Dennard
Promised Land - arr. Michael Richardson
Steal Away - arr. Brazeal Dennard
Go Tell It On The Mountain - arr. Marvin V. Curtis

TTBB a cappella

A collection of a cappella spirituals for male voices including a couple from one of the masters of the genre Brazeal Dennard whose Chorale is one of the nation's leading performers of traditional African-American spirituals.

8087 SHEET MUSIC $6.95

Various Arrangers: Men's Spirituals Vol 4



Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning - arr. Jay Althouse
Live A Humble - arr. Peter Bagley
Go Tell It On The Mountain - arr. Vijay Singh
Hard Times Come Again No More - arr. Donald Moore

TTBB a cappella

"Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning" - The strength of this steady, walking-tempo spiritual comes from the powerful dynamic contrasts and solid choral writing. Features brief descant-style female solos. The optional hand drum adds a rhythmic pulse. "Live A Humble" is an incredible spiritual arrangement that your 4-part choir will truly enjoy singing. Originally published for a cappella mixed choirs, and now available for men's voices, Live-a-Humble's full chords, rhythmic intensity, and featured bass part are irresistible. A awesome College Glee Club sound. Dramatic dynamics, articulations, and modulations add interest. The success of Vijay Singh's works for men's choirs was clearly evidenced by the three selections from his Celtic Songs that was published last year. Now Vijay has adapted thie well-known Christmas spiritual "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in a four-part men's edition. Be assured it will be fun to sing and fun for audiences to hear!

7021 SHEET MUSIC $6.95

Various Arrangers: Men's Spirituals Vol 5


The Glory Manger - arr. Jon Washburn
Fire In The Furnace - arr. Kirby Shaw
De Animals A-comin' - arr. Marshall Bartholomew
Jacob's Ladder - arr. David MorrowB
Mary Had A Baby - arr. Alice Parker/ Robert Shaw

TTBB a cappella

"The Glory Manger" - Well-written straightforward arrangement of one of the more unusual spirituals, suitable for a holiday concert or worship service. Familiar harmonies make it an easily learned, readily programmed piece. David Morrow, conductor of the Morehouse College Glee Club, has written a dramatic and profoundly moving setting of the traditional spiritual "Jacob's Ladder". The powerful original spiritual "Fire In The Furnace" recounts the tale of Shadrach, Meshach and Abegnego as they escape the mighty fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar. A super showcase for men's groups!

7037 SHEET MUSIC $8.50

Yale Glee Club Series: Traditional Spirituals

The Battle Of Jericho
Keep In The Middle Of The Road
In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin'
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Guide My Hand
De Animals A-Comin'
This Train
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel
He's Got The Whole In His Hand
My Lord, What A Morning
Rise Up, Shepard
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit
He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word

TTBB

The spirituals in this collection have become mainstays in the body of American male chorus literature. Their arrangers, Marshall Bartholomew and Fenno Heath, were conductors of the Yale Glee Club, one of the groups that was central in creating and sustaining the tradition of collegiate male choir singing in America.

9132 SONGBOOK $10.95

Sir Michael Tippett: Five Spirituals from 'A Child of Our Time'

Steal Away
Nobody Knows
Go Down Moses
By And By
Deep River

TTBB

These arrangements of the Five Spirituals grew from the arranger's desire to see a larger and more interesting repertoire for male choruses, and were created with the approval of Tippett's biographer and execture, Merion Bowen. Whilst the spirituals suit male choruses of various sizes and remain as 'basically simple' as the originals, there are several musical challenges in the arrangements.

9137 SONGBOOK $9.95

Spirituals for Solo Voices

Jay Althouse: Spirituals for Solo Singers Vol. 1

Ezekiel's Wheel
Kum Ba Yah
My Lord What A Morning
Wade In The Water
Amazing Grace
Climbing Up The Mountain
Little David Play On Your Harp
Let Us Break Bread Togther
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Rise up Shepard And Follow

Jay Althouse has compiled an outstanding collection of eleven spirituals arranged for solo voice and piano by some of Alfred's finest composers and arrangers. Perfect for recitals, concerts and contests, this compilation includes songs such as "Ezekial'sWheel," "Kum Ba Yah," and more!

9530 SONGBOOK & CD $24.95
Medium High Voice
9532 SONGBOOK & CD $24.95
Medium Low Voice

Jay Althouse: Spirituals for Solo Singers Vol. 2

Plenty Good Room
Little Innocent Lamb
Sit Down Servant
Down In The Valley To Pray
Heaven Bound Light Of Mine
Glory Bound
Home In That Rock
Deep River
Witness
Mary's Baby Boy

Singers will cherish these powerful solo arrangements by Mark Hayes, Jay Althouse, Philip Kern, Greg Gilpin, and other fine Alfred arrangers. Including favorite traditional spirituals like "Deep River," "Sit Down Servant," "Witness," and "Down in the Valley to Pray," this inspirational collection is essential to every solo singer's library. Fresh contemporary arrangements that sing and play well with an accompaniment CD.

9490 SONGBOOK & CD $24.95
Medium High Voice
9531 SONGBOOK & CD $24.95
Medium Low Voice

Harry T. Burleigh: Album of Negro Spirituals

By An' By
Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
De Blin' Man Stood on De Road An' Cried
De Gospel Train
Deep River
Ev'ry Time I Feel De Spirit
Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Stan' Still Jordan
Wade 'In De Water
Weepin' Mary Were You There

One dozen spirituals arranged for solo voice with accompaniment. Preserved in Burleigh's arrangements are the essential characteristics of these songs that generally derived from spontaneous outbursts of intense religious fervor.

8590 SONGBOOK & CD $22.95
High Voice
8591 SONGBOOK & CD $22.95
Low Voice

Richard Walters: 15 Easy Spiritual Arrangements

Balm In Gilead
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
The Gospel Train
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Jacob's Ladder
Let Us Break Bread Together
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
Mary Had a Baby
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Steal Away
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
This Little Light of MIne
Were You There?

One dozen spirituals arranged for solo voice with accompaniment. Preserved in Burleigh's arrangements are the essential characteristics of these songs that generally derived from spontaneous outbursts of intense religious fervor.Fresh arrangements for first-year voice students, with intermediate level piano parts. Spirituals are for all singers, representing a significant part of American folk music. Beyond educational use, it goes without saying that spirituals make excellent church solos.

5146 SONGBOOK & CD $16.95
High Voice
5143 SONGBOOK & CD $16.95
Low Voice

Hall Johnson: Thirty Spirituals

Belshazza' Had a Feas'
Dat Suits Me
Done Written Down My Name
Ev'ry Time I Feel de Spirit
Glory Hallelujah to de New-born King n
Gospel Trainn
Great Day!
How Long Train Been Gone?
I Couldn' Hear Nobody Pray
Keep a-inchin' Along
Leanin' on Dat Lamb
Let de Heb'n-light Shine on Me
Mary Had a Baby
My Lord, What a Mornin'
Oh, Freedomn
Oh, Graveyard
Over Yonder
Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las' n
Prayer Is de Key
Religion Is a Fortune
Ride on, Jesus!
Scandalize' My Name
Sinner-man so Hard to Believe n
Stan' Still, Jordan Hall Johnson
Stan'in' in de Need of Prayer
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot! n
There Is a Balm in Gileadn
This Is de Healin' Water n
Were You There?
When I Lay My Burden Down

Never before available in high and low voice versions, this new edition of Johnson's classic spiritual arrangements features new music engravings, Johnson's original preface and notes on the pieces, a guide to modified English texts for the spirittuals, and a CD of accompaniments recorded by pianist Laura Ward.

5281 SONGBOOK & CD $19.95
High Voice
8614 SONGBOOK & CD $19.95
Low Voice

Various Composers: Best Of Spirituals & Gospels

By An' By
Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
De Blin' Man Stood on De Road An' Cried
De Gospel Train
Deep River
Ev'ry Time I Feel De Spirit
Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Stan' Still Jordan
Wade 'In De Water
Weepin' Mary Were You There

An anthology of some of the most beautiful and most popular tunes in this genre in new and fresh arrangements, all with easy piano accompaniment. The separate voice part contains an optional part for a second voice. For guitarists there is fingering notation as well as chord symbols.

5224 SONGBOOK $19.95

Christmas Spirituals Arrangements

Spirituals Recordings

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