Battle of Jericho: TTBB Choral Octavo
Traditional Spiritual / arr. Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PO-0001916
$1.85
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
You've heard this famous spiritual before, but wait until you hear it in the skillful hands of Mark Hayes! The piano part offers a fun-filled adventure---challenging, yet doable. The choral parts are so compelling that choir members will beg to sing them again and again. Listeners will be hard pressed to sit quietly in their seats when these walls come a-tumblin' down!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001916
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes has established himself as a prolific force in choral and sacred music, with over 1,750 published works spanning concert, church, and theatrical contexts. A Baylor University graduate in piano performance, Hayes has guest conducted at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, and received the 2010 Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music from his alma mater. His creative reach extends beyond the concert hall; he has orchestrated musicals, composed for international commissions, and conducted world premieres of his own large-scale works including his Requiem at Lincoln Center and at St. Ignatius Basilica in Rome.
At the heart of Hayes' output lies an unwavering commitment to writing for piano. More than 100 piano books in his catalog showcase his versatility across gospel, classical, jazz, and popular idioms. Whether arranging beloved spirituals or composing original large-scale choral works, Hayes brings both technical sophistication and accessibility to every project, grounded in his belief that beautiful music should reach audiences everywhere.
Why we love this
Hayes understands how to honor the spiritual's DNA while giving it fresh energy through contemporary harmonic sophistication and a piano part that demands real musicianship from your accompanist. The TTBB voicing sits naturally for men's voices, and the writing balances singable lines with moments of genuine excitement that will keep your ensemble invested from rehearsal one through performance night.
What to expect
The arrangement pulses with kinetic energy; Hayes builds momentum through rhythmic drive and harmonic color while keeping the familiar melody recognizable enough that listeners will connect immediately. There is real joy here—the kind that comes from a well-crafted arrangement that feels both reverent and exhilarating.
Who it's for
Men's choirs and TTBB ensembles seeking a spiritually grounded arrangement with contemporary polish and energy. This works equally well for church choirs, college men's groups, and concert ensembles that want a repertoire piece that audiences will remember long after the final chord.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the piano's rhythmic propulsion against the choral lines; the accompaniment drives forward but should never overshadow the story unfolding in the voices.
- Attend to the text painting in phrases like 'tumblin' down'—let articulation and dynamic shape in the choir reflect the imagery, not just the notes on the page.
- Lock in rhythmic precision during syncopated sections where the piano and voices interact; even slight misalignment will blur Hayes' carefully crafted harmonic moments.
- Build excitement gradually across the piece; resist the urge to sing the climax at full volume early on, saving intensity for the final push when 'these walls come a-tumblin' down.'
How to use it
Place this near the climax of a spiritual-themed concert or as a compelling closer to a set of sacred choral works; its energy and accessibility make it an excellent piece to bridge different audience expectations. The 12-page length and moderate difficulty allow it to anchor a program without requiring extensive rehearsal time relative to its impact.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing rhythmic syncopation between voice parts and piano accompaniment
- Balancing ensemble blend when some voices carry thematic material while others provide harmonic support
- Shaping lyrical phrases with text-based articulation and dynamic contrast
- Maintaining rhythmic stability in sections with driving accompaniment patterns