Down in My Soul!: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Words and music by Victor C. Johnson
Item: 00-PO-0007540
$2.30
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
The joyful lyrics of Victor's exciting gospel original extol the wonders of music all around. Satisfying sonorities and vocal ranges that lie right in the sweet spot for developing singers make this an excellent selection for school groups. A sturdy piano part alternates between reinforcing voice parts and stylistic riffs. Cued middle notes in the 2-Part/SSA voicing offer optional triadic harmony.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007540
More about this title
About the Composer: Victor C. Johnson
Victor C. Johnson brings three decades of hands-on choral direction and prolific composition to every piece he writes. Based in Dallas, Texas, he spent 18 years (2000-2018) as choral director at Ft. Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he built multiple ensembles and served as artistic director of two regional youth choirs. His catalog now exceeds 500 published works across choral, vocal solo, and keyboard genres.
Currently the School Choral Editor for Sing!, Johnson also conducts the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus Mixed Ensemble, connecting his compositional voice directly to the young singers who perform his work. His professional memberships span the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, ASCAP, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, reflecting a career grounded in both creative output and educational leadership.
Why we love this
Johnson captures the infectious energy of gospel idiom without overcomplicating the voice writing, giving developing singers real musical satisfaction. The piano part refreshes itself throughout, moving between doubling and stylistic accompaniment that keeps rehearsals engaging while reinforcing accurate intonation. Cued middle notes in the optional 2-Part/SSA voicing mean you can flex your voicing approach depending on your ensemble's needs and performance goals.
What to expect
Joy and celebration run through this piece from the first note. The harmonies are warm and full without demanding extreme ranges, and the lyrics about music echo back what singers are experiencing as they learn it. It lands somewhere between spiritual roots and contemporary gospel lightness, inviting singers to feel the groove rather than laboriously execute it.
Who it's for
This works beautifully for secondary choral programs seeking accessible but genuine gospel repertoire. Developing mixed choirs benefit from vocal ranges that sit naturally in each part, and the joyful message about music itself resonates with young singers discovering why ensemble singing matters.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the three parts so the middle voices don't disappear; the sweet spot for SAB ranges means all three lines sit comfortably in the ear when each singer commits to their part with confidence.
- Dig into the gospel rhythms with purpose. Let the piano's stylistic riffs guide you toward the swing and lift inherent in the style without forcing it.
- Use the optional cued notes strategically. If a section is wrestling with harmonic security, those triadic cues provide scaffolding; remove them once the singers own the harmony.
How to use it
Anchor a concert around this piece if you're building a program with strong thematic content about music, joy, or community. The 12-page format makes it substantial enough for a festival performance or concert showcase without overwhelming rehearsal time. Its accessibility makes it ideal for early-year repertoire when you're settling a newer ensemble into secure blend and balance.
Skills your students will build
- Gospel rhythm interpretation and swing phrasing
- Part independence in three-part mixed voicing
- Harmonic listening and intonation in diatonic progressions
- Balancing individual voice parts within an ensemble texture
- Stylistic awareness of gospel idiom and its performance practices