Bound for Glory!: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by John Leavitt
Item: 35-PK00397167
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Description
This collection of traditional spirituals is filled with memorable moments artistically arranged for maximum expressive potential. From the rich harmonies of "Deep River" and "Wayfaring Stranger," to the hopeful joy of "Bound for the Promised Land" and "The Old Ship of Zion," this book has something for everyone, and the options of an SATB or SSA edition make this essential collection available to a variety of ensembles. Accompany with piano only, or use the optional string quintet and percussion orchestration to further enhance the work. Songs include: "Poor Wayfaring Stranger; Keep Your Lamps; Deep River; Steal Away; Bound for the Promised Land; All My Trials; The Old Ship of Zion."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00397167
More about this title
About the Arranger: John Leavitt
John Leavitt is a prolific composer and arranger whose work spans choral, instrumental, and vocal music. His arrangements are known for respecting the integrity of source material while creating fresh interpretive possibilities for ensembles of varying sizes and abilities. Leavitt has dedicated his career to making repertoire accessible without sacrificing artistic depth, earning him wide adoption in schools, churches, and concert halls.
Why we love this
Leavitt's spirituals succeed because they balance accessibility with genuine musical substance. The flexible instrumentation means you can perform these with piano only on a Tuesday rehearsal or add strings and percussion for a concert that commands attention, and the arrangements never feel lightweight in either scenario.
What to expect
Singing these spirituals feels like connecting to something larger than the room you're in. The harmonies have weight and dignity without pretension; they invite both introspection and communal expression, creating moments where the choir and audience breathe together.
Who it's for
This collection works for mixed or women's choruses at intermediate level and above. Whether you're programming a sacred concert, building a spiritual tradition in your curriculum, or seeking repertoire that speaks authentically across different musical backgrounds, these arrangements meet you where you are.
How to get the most out of it
- Record a piano guide track for rehearsals if you're working with singers unfamiliar with these spiritual traditions. The harmonic language rewards careful attention to voice leading.
- Experiment with the string quintet parts even if you only have two or three string players available. Strategic doublings can suggest the fuller orchestration without requiring your full complement.
- Shape these pieces around textual meaning rather than structural symmetry. The emotional arc within each spiritual matters more than perfect metric regularity.
- Bring the melody forward in homophonic sections, but allow inner voices to bloom during richer harmonic passages. These arrangements give your altos and tenors genuinely rewarding material.
How to use it
These pieces naturally fit a concert built around American choral traditions or sacred music, but they also work beautifully as a thematic anchor within a broader program. Consider using two or three selections across a concert to frame other repertoire, allowing the spiritual tradition to comment on your larger programming choices.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with historical awareness of African American musical traditions
- Balancing blend and clarity in rich harmonic textures
- Responding to text with emotional authenticity and restraint
- Adapting to different vocal ranges (SATB vs. SSA editions)
- Collaborating with string and percussion parts when available