Bring Down That Chariot Sheet Music Preview

Bring Down That Chariot: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Words and music by Berta Poorman and Sonja Poorman (incorporating "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot")

Level: Moderate

Item: 00-PO-0005391

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Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
The Poormans have combined their own creativity with "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" to bring us this upbeat spiritual. Add this rousing work to your next concert.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Studio PR Catalog
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
SKU: 00-PO-0005391

More about this title

About the Composer: Berta Poorman

Berta Poorman

Berta and Sonja Poorman are a mother-daughter composing team whose partnership spans more than two decades of writing sacred and secular choral music. Both have extensive experience directing choirs across all age levels in church settings, which informs their deep understanding of what singers need and what congregations respond to.

Their compositions are marked by accessible writing and thoughtful voice leading that never sacrifices musicality for simplicity. The texts they choose consistently convey messages of hope and affirmation, making their work particularly resonant in worship and concert contexts alike.

Why we love this

This arrangement honors a timeless spiritual while giving it genuine new life. The Poormans' gift for accessible voice leading means your choir can focus on shape and expression rather than wrestling with technical complexity, and their upbeat treatment lands with real joy in performance.

What to expect

This is a spiritual that bounces with genuine optimism and forward motion. The arrangement captures the traditional depth of the melody while layering contemporary harmonic color that feels fresh and alive, inviting singers and audiences into a moment of uplifting celebration.

Who it's for

This octavo works well for developing middle school or early high school choirs, as well as adult church choirs seeking repertoire that energizes without overwhelming. The moderate difficulty level and accessible voice leading mean your singers can achieve a polished, spirited performance even with limited rehearsal time.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the rhythmic energy of the arrangement drive the piece forward; this spiritual thrives when it swings rather than drags.
  • Shape the three parts to highlight the dialogue between sections; the interplay between SAB voicing creates natural conversational momentum.
  • Balance the familiar melody with the supporting harmonies so that the known tune stays recognizable but the arrangement's creativity shines through.

How to use it

Program this as an energy lift in a concert setting, or use it to open a service or celebration with immediate warmth and engagement. Its moderate length and accessible voicing make it an excellent choice for mixed-voice ensembles preparing a concert program that balances traditional sacred music with contemporary arrangements.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing independent parts within a three-part mixed voicing
  • Maintaining rhythmic drive and forward motion in a spiritual idiom
  • Blending harmonies while maintaining clarity of individual lines
  • Interpreting musical expression within accessible voice leading

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