Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-20192
Price: 3.50 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Mark Hayes

Item: 00-20192

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$3.50

Shipped

One moment…

A new classic spiritual arrangement from one of the finest choral arrangers of our era, Mark Hayes. If you're familiar with Mark's work, then perhaps little more needs to be said. The harmonies are traditional with the underlying power of the spiritual and a strong modulation creating the excitement. There are brief solos (for both high and low voices) on several of the verses. This arrangement will make your SATB choir sound its very best at concerts and adjudications. An excellent festival choice, too.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 20

UPC: 038081187563

SKU: 00-20192

More about this title

About the Arranger: Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes is a prolific composer and arranger whose catalog exceeds 1,750 published works spanning sacred music, secular choral literature, orchestral scores, and piano repertoire. A summa cum laude graduate of Baylor University's Piano Performance program, Hayes has conducted at major concert halls including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the National Cathedral, while also premiering large-scale works such as his Requiem at the Vatican in 2014.

Beyond concert music, Hayes has shaped theatrical works including orchestrations for commercial musicals and scoring for the award-winning documentary "Civil War Voices." In 2010, Baylor's Center for Christian Music Studies recognized his contributions with the Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hayes continues to balance international conducting appearances with an active composing and arranging practice that draws from gospel, jazz, classical, and Broadway traditions.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Hayes treats the spiritual tradition with genuine reverence while keeping the energy forward and singable. The divisi writing opens possibilities for sectional beauty without requiring a massive or advanced choir, and the brief solo passages give individual singers moments to shine. The strong modulation he builds into the final sections will grab any audience, whether in a concert hall or festival setting.

What to expect

Rooted in the emotional core of the spiritual tradition yet contemporary in its harmonic language. The piece moves with purposeful momentum, building from intimate moments with solo voices to powerful ensemble statements that feel both grounded in tradition and freshly voiced.

Who it's for

SATB choirs of solid intermediate to advanced level who can handle divisi writing and want to perform a contemporary spiritual arrangement with musical substance. Directors preparing for concert season, festivals, or adjudications will find this piece rewarding for both singers and audience.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the divisi voices carefully during the harmonically rich passages. When sopranos and altos split, or tenors and basses divide, ensure each line remains distinct rather than blending into a muted wash.
Approach the brief solos with confidence and warmth. Even if they're assigned to section soloists rather than featured soloists, they should feel personal and connected to the text.
Shape the modulation with clear harmonic awareness. Let the choir feel the key shift building toward the final statement rather than treating it as a surprise.

How to use it

Program this as an anchor for a spirituals or sacred music concert set, where it can stand alongside both traditional arrangements and other contemporary takes on the genre. Its length and moderate difficulty make it an excellent festival entry that demonstrates solid choral musicianship without overshadowing lighter or more experimental pieces on the same program.

Skills your students will build

Singing divisi parts with clear voice independence and blend
Navigating key modulation and harmonic movement
Performing solo passages within a choral context with confidence
Interpreting the spiritual tradition with musical authenticity and contemporary arranging sensibility