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Spirituals Arrangement for Female Voices
| A collection of vocal harmony arrangements of spirituals for female voices. |
Spirituals - Home | Spirituals Mixed Voices | Spirituals Female Voices | Spirituals Male Voices | Spirituals Solo Voice | Spirituals CDs | Spirituals Christmas
Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media
Displaying 1-13 of 13 items.
Daryl Runswick : A Gospel Christmas This collection of five Christmas spirituals from North America and the Caribbean are idiomatically arranged by Daryl Runswick, with useful tips to help inexperienced choirs sing in a gospel style. Runswick's vivid gospel arrangements are a sparkling addition to the Christmas repertory for upper voice choirs, and will be loved by singers and audiences alike! Songlist: The Virgin Mary Had A Baby, Children Go Where I Send Thee, Steal Away, Pretty Home, Go, Tell it on the Mountain 
Gwyn Arch : Go Down, Moses Go Down, Moses is a collection of three spirituals - the dramatic Go Down, Moses, a jauntry arrangement of Oh Mary, Don't You Weep, and the ever-popular He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. Liven up any concert programme with these classic songs, arranged by the talented Gwyn Arch. Songlist: Go Down Moses, Oh Mary, Don't You Weep, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
John Phillips : Eight Negro Spirituals A collection of classic Negro spirituals arranged for unaccompanied SSA choir by John C. Phillips Songlist: Mary Had A Baby, You Got A Right, Never Said A Mumbalin' Word, The Train Is Bound For Glory, Steal Away To Jesus, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Nobody Knows De Trouble I See, Lord, Dry Bones
Kari Ala-Pollanen : Negro Spirituals for SA Chorus Finnish choral conductor and composer Kari Ala-Pollanen 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. Songlist: 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'.
Kirby Shaw : Women's Spirituals Vol 1 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! Songlist: Amazing Grace, Wade In The Water, Sinner Man, Down By The Riverside, Plenty Good Room (On the Glory Train)
Moses Hogan : Spirituals for Female Voices "This Little Light of Mine" - Originally composed for Anton Armstrong and the St. Olaf College Choir, this setting was adapted for women's voices by Kathleen Rodde for the Iowa State University Women's Choir and their ACDA performance. A vibrant and accessible work! The multi-layered texture of this powerful original spiritual "I'm Gonna Sing .." is both challenging and invigorating. The Moses Hogan arrangement of "The Battle of Jericho" is an absolute showstopper, and has electrified audiences since its debut in 1996. "Lily of the Valley" - From the expressive opening this builds to a great rhythmic chorus that will captivate your singers and audience. Filled with beautiful harmonic moments, this will surely become a concert favorite. Songlist: This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Sing 'Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart, The Battle of Jericho, Ride On, King Jesus, Music Down in My Soul, Lily of the Valley
Nina Gilbert : Three Shaker Spirituals 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. Songlist: Oh, The Beautiful Treasure, We Will Walk with Mother and Mourn, Hop Up and Jump Up
Rosephanye Powell (editor) : Spirituals for Upper Voices This in an outstanding collection of twelve African American spirituals arranged for upper voices in two, three, or four parts. Rosephanye and William Powell have collaborated with some of the most talented and respected spiritual specialists in the US to deliver specially commissioned, authentic arrangements. Songlist: Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Do', Deep River, I Got a Robe, In Dat Great Gettin' Up Mornin', Let Me Fly, Lit'l David Play On Yo' Harp, There Is a Balm In Gilead, I'm Gonna Sing, Scandalize My Name, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, I Got a Home In-a Dat Rock, This Joy I Have
Various Arrangers : A Cappella Spirituals for Female Voices "Bright Mansions" - This SSAA setting displays K. Lee Scott's adaptability. His command of vocal writing is excellent, and his arranging style is never overdone. A refined reserve to his technique make this an elegant spiritual setting for high school, college and church treble choirs. "Hold On!" - Stacey Gibbs wants to "bring life" to the spiritual for use in the concert hall. This arrangement confirms why his arrangements are so popular: the rhythms and harmonies are fun to sing and he builds things up to a rousing finish. This arrangement for women's voices reminds us to "keep your hand on the plow as you climb higher and higher...just hold on." "Keep Your Lamps" - Here is the traditional spiritual in a contemporary and dramatic setting for women's unaccompanied voices, opening with a beginning unison melody, performed in a slow, heavy manner. When the tempo picks up, the melody is supported by the other voices and a recurring rhythmic groove that adds to the urgency of the text. "Shout All Over God's Heaven" - Let your women's choir loose in this swinging spiritual! It is easy and fun to sing, building to an impressive ending. A good closer or encore in your concert program! Songlist: Nothin' Gonna Stumble My Feet, Bright Mansions, Over My Head, Hold On!, Keep Your Lamps
Various Arrangers : Women's Spirituals Vol 2 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. Songlist: I Hear a Voice A-Prayin', This Little Light of Mine, Wade in the Watah, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Various Arrangers : Women's Spirituals Vol 3 '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. Songlist: Down in the Valley to Pray, Some of These Days, Amazing Grace, Simple Gifts
William L. Dawson : A Cappella Tuskegee Choral Series for Women William Levi Dawson, born in 1899, was educated at Tuskegee Institute, the Horner Institute of Fine Arts, and the American Conservatory, and wrote his own "Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony" in 1934. He began publishing and recording his arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals in 1955 and they are now considered to be some of the finest examples of the genre. Here are a selection of his finest works for unaccompanied female voices. Recommended! Songlist: There Is A Balm In Gilead, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Ain'a That Good News
William L. Dawson : Accompanied Tuskegee Choral Series for Women Here are a selection of his works with piano accompaniment. When they are as good as this we have to forgo our a cappella only policy! Songlist: I Wan To Be Ready, Out In The Fields, Feed-A My Sheep, Slumber Song, You Got To Reap Just What You Sow |
Displaying 1-50 of 69 items.
You'll raise the roof with this soul-stirring and heartfelt arrangement of the traditional Bahamian spiritual. Energized rhythms and surprise harmonies will help you create a compelling concert experience.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
Rich textures, close harmonies, a fresh setting for the four-part women's choir.
Arranger: Joan Szymko | Composer: John Newton
John Newton's famous and beloved hymn is perhaps the most well-known song in the world. This traditional setting for SSAA a cappella will surely have a profound effect on your singers and audiences.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: John Newton
This expressive setting of three favorite spirituals begins reflectively and gradually builds into full sonorities, then moves to a hushed conclusion. Great for developing a sense of phrasing and line! Includes: All My Trials, Jacob's Ladder, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA. Duration: ca. 3:00
Arranger: John Purifoy
The mixed voices setting was released years ago and became a strong selling anthem. This SSAA setting displays K. Lee Scott's adaptability. His command of vocal writing is excellent, and his arranging style is never overdone. A refined reserve to his technique make this an elegant spiritual setting for high school, college and church treble choirs.
Arranger: K. Lee Scott
Uses: Ash Wednesday, All Saints, Memorial, Concert, Youth Choir Scripture: Psalm 104:1-4; Mark 13:24-27; Philippians 3:20-21 This classic spiritual is given the utmost care in this stellar arrangement. The sensitive writing delivers layers of beauty that cascade effortlessly from the printed page. Unison singing mingles with moments of luscious harmonies giving listeners a glimpse of the divine. Stunning!
Arranger: Susan Thrift
Change My Name is a series of melodic variations on the opening line of a spiritual more commonly known as If He Changed My Name. Composer Stephen Hatfield has created an intense, grave, peaceful arrangement for women's voices that will cast a spell over both singer and listener. Duration: ca. 4:00
Arranger: Stephen Hatfield
Beginning with a slow and quiet vocal intro, this favorite spiritual increases in tempo with a hushed energy and builds in sound with each subsequent verse. Creative choral writing fills the piece with harmonies and interesting melodic lines between vocal parts. A standout for your women's choir performance!
Arranger: Glenda E. Franklin
No joy is more joyful than joy at Christmas. Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi join forces to take us to the Caribbean for a wonderfully fresh Spiritual Christmas treat. The rhythms are infectious, the optional flute duet and percussion are perfect for the style; the whole adventure is a flat out fun. Related scripture: Matthew 1:18--2; Luke 2
Arranger: Tom Fettke
John Leavitt's arrangement of this beloved American spiritual moves from the simple opening chorale to the full soaring climax - what a wonderful new setting! Optional violin and string bass. Available: SATB, SSA, TTB.
Arranger: John Leavitt
This arrangement of the traditional spiritual simmers and then comes to a full boil! Your singers will beg to sing it! Available: SSA. Performance Time: Approx. 3:20.
Arranger: Ken Berg
This classic spiritual explodes with energy in an exuberant Kirby Shaw a cappella setting. Performance time approx. 2:15.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
This beautifully expressive and artistic a cappella arrangement of the well-known Italian carol features a soprano solo, luscious harmonies, and a singable text, lulling the Christ child to sleep.
Arranger: Stacey V. Gibbs | Country: Italy
Designed to showcase that special soloist in your choir, this spiritual gets an upbeat a cappella treatment that allows for an optional audience sing-/snap-along.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Traditional
This spiritual was featured in the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" For the film, the title and text were changed to "Down to the River to Pray." To be sung with great fervor, the melody is in the pentatonic mode.
Arranger: Michael Cleveland
Another winner from Rosephanye Powell! This setting for four-part a cappella women will dazzle the ears of all who hear it. A fabulous festival piece, it will shine in church and school.
Arranger: Rosephanye Powell
An imitative part and a lively counter-melody accompany the simple refrain of this spiritual, contrasted by the verse in which singing in parallel thirds is practiced.
Arranger: Mary Goetze
SSAA choirs will love inviting a tenor soloist to join them for this Moses Hogan classic based on Go Tell It on the Mountain. Vivid dynamic contrasts and Moses' trademark rhythmic layering give this setting special appeal.
Arranger: Kathleen Rodde
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.
Arranger: Cristi Cary Miller
Commissioned for the ACDA National Convention in New York, 2003, Rosephanye Powell has brought her classic style to this beloved spiritual. Rhythmic, vibrant and fun are words that describe this energetic setting.
Arranger: Rosephanye Powell
Now available in a treble voicing, this energetic spiritual features a soloist with choral backup, bright percussive rhythms, a bluesy vocal bass line and the visual appeal of body percussion making this a first-rate showcase for mixed or treble choirs!
Arranger: Ken Berg
Written mainly as SSA, this piece divides into 5 parts.
Arranger: Mary Goetze
Brian Tate cleverly combined the texts from a variety of frequently used spirituals to create a brand new choral selection. The yearning for belonging is quickly evident and rocks gently to a satisfying finish. Brian Tate has been composing and arranging a steady string of choral hits that deserves our attention.
Arranger: Brian Tate
Stacey Gibbs wants to "bring life" to the spiritual for use in the concert hall. This arrangement confirms why his arrangements are so popular: the rhythms and harmonies are fun to sing and he builds things up to a rousing finish. This arrangement for women's voices reminds us to "keep your hand on the plow as you climb higher and higher...just hold on."
Arranger: Stacey V. Gibbs
This a cappella Shawnee Press Classic, by composer Houston Bright has been a staple in choral libraries for many years. Suitable for developing voices and smaller choirs retaining the vocal finesse. Discover, again, this great choral work. Available separately: SSAB, a cappella; SATB, a cappela; SSAA, a cappella; TTBB, a cappella.
Arranger: Houston Bright
Arranged with a simple and accessible vocal accompaniment that enhances the intense hope expressed in the text and melody. Stepwise contrapuntal melodic phrases and repeated harmonic patterns provide a carpet of vocal sounds for the inspiring melody. Builds to an effective climax in the coda with an unexpected harmonic turn.
Arranger: Mary Goetze
Now available in men's and women's groups settings, the multi-layered texture of this powerful original spiritual is both challenging and invigorating. Duration: ca. 2:10.
Arranger: Peter Eklund | Composer: Moses Hogan
Opening with a slow, unaccompanied statement of the refrain, this contemporary setting of the traditional spiritual then unfolds into a dramatic layering thematic treatment that is tremendously exciting. Includes optional congas and electric bass.
Arranger: Rollo Dilworth
Here is the traditional spiritual in a contemporary and dramatic setting for women's unaccompanied voices, opening with a beginning unison melody, performed in a slow, heavy manner. When the tempo picks up, the melody is supported by the other voices and a recurring rhythmic groove that adds to the urgency of the text.
Arranger: Randi Grundahl Rexroth
Set in an up-tempo gospel style with energetic rhythms, call and response vocal lines and a driving accompaniment, this original spiritual is just the ticket for a fantastic choral showcase!
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
Kirby Shaw's special touch is evident as this rhythmically inviting arrangement breathes new life into this well-known spiritual. Perfect for use in school or church, this will be quickly and easily learned. Performance Time: Approx. 1:55
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
From the expressive opening this builds to a great rhythmic chorus that will captivate your singers and audience. Filled with beautiful harmonic moments, this will surely become a concert favorite. Performance Time: Approx. 3:20.
Arranger: Moses Hogan
This lyrical setting is matched closely to the text. The easy divisi section adds harmonies to the setting. An excellent teaching piece and a fine choice for any Christmas program. Duration: ca. 2:35.
Arranger: Maria Thompson Corley
Here's an exciting and upbeat a cappella version of the traditional spiritual combined with Beethoven's ever-popular tune from the ÚNinth SymphonyÚ. New seasonal lyrics for the Beethoven will be perfect for any winter concert!
Arranger: Philip Kern
The Christmas spiritual Mary Had a Baby and the gospel version of Joyful, Joyful make a perfect pairing for an uplifting seasonal showcase! Well-crafted and accessible, this will bring energy to every holiday program!
Arranger: Roger Emerson
This classic spiritual is arranged here for three-part treble voices and conga drum, with numerous ostinato patterns that make the piece easy to learn and fun to perform. Performance Time: Approx. 3:00
Arranger: Robert Hugh
Premiered at the recent World Symposium on Choral Music, this gospel praise song was inspired by the spiritual Over My Head. The dynamic piano accompaniment adds to the excitement, making this a fantastic concert closer! Available: SATB, SSAA. Approx. Performance Time: 3:30.
Arranger: Moses Hogan
The iconic spiritual arrangement by Moses Hogan has been masterfully adapted for treble voices by Rollo Dilworth. From the powerful opening chords to the exhilarating call and response sections, this is a work that will bring down the house!
Arranger: Rollo Dilworth
This top-selling a cappella original spiritual is now available for women's voices! Fast moving with energy and musical power, the new SSA voicing presents a fresh color of sound and depth.
Arranger: Greg Gilpin
From a serene and ethereal opening, this traditional spiritual transitions into an energetic gospel refrain, with call and response lines and exciting vocal effects. An outstanding treble showcase! With piano or optional a cappella.
Arranger: Nancy Grundahl
Newly arranged for SSAA choirs! Using jazz articulation in an exuberant spiritual style, this original provides an exciting dimension to choral programming!
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
This popular spiritual sings of a plaintive soul on the journey through life. It has been beautifully arranged here for SSA and SAB voices with striking vocal writing, haunting piano accompaniment and mournful solo violin. A unique and fresh approach for concert and festival use.
Arranger: Greg Gilpin
Now available for SSA choirs, this traditional spiritual receives a glorious makeover in this fantastic arrangement. The gospel groove of the piece is irresistible and choirs will delight in proclaiming the well-known prophecy of Isaiah in a fresh new way. Celebrate the birth of the Christ child with this driving and soulful arrangement. Rhythm parts (pno/gtr b, dm) available as a digital download.
Arranger: Rollo Dilworth Performed By: James Cleveland
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. This SSAA setting was created for Sigrid Johnson and the Manitou Singers of St. Olaf College. Available: SATB divisi, SSAA divisi. Performance Time: Approx. 2:30.
Arranger: Moses Hogan
This great, rocking spiritual arranged by Brian Tate is simply fun to sing! A repeated ostinato section builds to the final ending.
Arranger: Brian Tate
Hurry on down to Bethlehem to hear the angels sing! Gospel tinged rhythms and very singable melodies and harmonies give this original spiritual tremendous appeal. Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA, ShowTrax CD. Rhythm parts available as a digital download (gtr, b, dm). Duration: ca. 2:20.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
This traditional spiritual is set in an easy gospel swing with three partner-style melodies that all combine in the final chorus for an audience-pleasing finish! Super easy to learn and lots of fun to sing, it's great for choirs of all levels! Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA, TBB, 2-Part, Combo parts (tpt 1-2, tsx, tbn, gtr, b, dm), ShowTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:40.
Arranger: Rollo Dilworth
The traditional Shaker hymn is given a fresh, appealing treatment. The Brigham Young University Women's Chorus premiered it, recorded it, and loved it. You will too.
Arranger: Amy Dalton | Composer: Elder Joseph Brackett
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