A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Benjamin Harlan
Item: 35-PK00041940
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Description
Instrumental Accompaniment includes score and parts for Flute, Oboe, Trumpet 1, 2, Horn 1, 2 (sub. Trumpet/Trombone), Trombone, Bass Trombone, Timpani and Percussion. Duration: ca. 4:25
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00041940
More about this title
About the Arranger: Benjamin Harlan
Benjamin Harlan serves as Dean of the School of Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he shapes the next generation of church musicians. His arrangements and compositions appear in catalogs from major publishers across choral, keyboard, and handbell repertoire. Since 1990, ASCAP has recognized his contributions annually, and he maintains active involvement with the American Choral Directors Association and the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference.
Harlan's educational credentials include degrees from Baylor University (B.M. and M.M.) and a doctorate from SBTS. He has held leadership positions as Associate Professor of Church Music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and as Minister of Music at several significant Baptist congregations. He lives in Fort Worth with his wife and three children.
Why we love this
Harlan's instrumentation here gives choirs what they need: a full but flexible brass section that works whether you have three trombones or must substitute trumpets, with wind support that never overwhelms the voices. At just over four minutes, it fits naturally into any sacred concert without requiring substantial rehearsal time investment, yet the arrangement carries real substance and liturgical weight.
What to expect
The sound is both reverent and assured, combining the confidence of Luther's steadfast melody with warm, resonant brass harmonies that ground the choir's voices. The orchestration breathes naturally through dynamic shape and harmonic movement, creating moments of crystalline clarity and fuller textural passages that feel celebratory without becoming bombastic.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves choirs of all experience levels who want instrumental depth without logistical complexity. The flexible horn and trombone options make it accessible to programs with varied instrumental resources, while the core trumpet and woodwind parts remain essential and highly playable.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the brass entries in the opening sections so they support rather than dominate the choral line; the alto and tenor parts especially need room to project.
- Lock the timpani part with the bass trombone to anchor harmonic shifts; these two voices define the harmonic movement across phrase boundaries.
- Bring out the inner instrumental voices during sustained choir sections; Harlan voices the accompaniment to highlight counterpoint that deepens the harmonic texture.
- Take the tempo with slight flexibility at cadential moments to allow the full ensemble to breathe together and let the harmonic resolutions land clearly.
How to use it
Pair this with other Reformation repertoire for a thematic concert, or use it as a showpiece closing number for a sacred music program where you want to demonstrate your choir's range with instrumental support. The duration and intensity make it an excellent concluding selection that leaves a strong final impression.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing vocal line with instrumental accompaniment
- Sustaining intonation within a full ensemble texture
- Responding to rubato and conductor direction across multiple instrument families
- Articulating text clarity over sustained instrumental backgrounds