Glory: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Common John Legend / Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00315028
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Description
The dramatic song by American rap artist and actor Common and singer/songwriter John Legend is featured in the historical film drama "Selma," based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders of the time. A powerful learning opportunity for a new generation!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00315028
More about this title
About the Artist: Common John Legend
Common is a Chicago native whose career spans hip-hop, acting, and activism. His work consistently engages with social justice themes and historical narratives, bringing lyrical depth and cultural specificity to his collaborations. John Legend is a classically trained pianist and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose genre-spanning compositions have introduced millions of listeners to thoughtful songwriting rooted in soul and R&B traditions.
Together on "Glory," they created a song that functions as both artistic statement and historical document. The track's emotional weight and accessibility make it exceptionally valuable for choral programs seeking to engage students with contemporary music that carries genuine cultural and historical significance.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures a moment when popular music intersected directly with the civil rights movement, giving your students an entry point into a song that matters beyond the rehearsal room. Mark Brymer's setting respects the song's emotional core while making it singable for ensemble voices, and programming it creates natural conversations about how music documents and processes history.
What to expect
Dignified and propulsive. The song carries a quiet intensity that builds rather than explodes, with moments of soaring vocal line balanced against rhythmically tight ensemble writing. This is music that honors its subject matter while remaining accessible and genuinely moving to performers and audiences alike.
Who it's for
Directors programming concert seasons that reflect contemporary culture and history will find this valuable for mixed ensembles at intermediate and advanced levels. The arrangement works equally well as a concert centerpiece or as part of a thematic program exploring music and social movements.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the dynamic arc gradually; "Glory" builds its power through accumulation rather than sudden shifts, so resist the urge to start too loudly in opening phrases.
- Pay close attention to the text's rhythmic placement, which often sits slightly ahead of or behind the beat in ways that reflect the song's rap and R&B roots. Precision here drives the song's character.
- Let the accompaniment track inform your phrasing without locking into a mechanical relationship with it. The best performances breathe with the recording rather than merely following it.
How to use it
Consider placing this on a concert that also includes spirituals, freedom songs, or other music tied to American civil rights. It works particularly well in a spring concert or as part of Black History Month programming, and the narrative context makes it a powerful discussion point in ensemble warm-up or sectional rehearsals.
Skills your students will build
- Singing over syncopated accompaniment patterns
- Balancing lyrical phrasing with rhythmic precision in contemporary styles
- Interpretation of text with historical and social awareness
- Ensemble blend when mixing rap-influenced delivery with traditional vocal harmony