Good News!: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Name: Good News!: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-7749
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Patsy Ford Simms

Item: 00-7749

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If you're having trouble finding a good, singable spiritual, look no further! Patsy Simms' arrangement of the traditional Good News is your choice. Features a rollicking piano accompaniment, some handclapping and a swinging descant on the final chorus.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Good News!: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081018300

SKU: 00-7749

More about this title

About the Arranger: Patsy Ford Simms

Patsy Ford Simms began her publishing career in 1981 and has since composed and arranged over 300 works for educational and church settings, collaborating with major publishers including Shawnee Press. Her prolific output emerged directly from her classroom experience: during her early years teaching junior high and middle school choirs, she found herself writing arrangements out of sheer necessity, frustrated by the scarcity of appropriate octavos for developing voices.

Her credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Knoxville College, a Master of Education from the University of Louisville, and a doctorate in Music Education from Columbia Pacific University. Over 30 years in K-12 classrooms and at the Youth Performing Arts School, Simms became recognized internationally as an arranger, composer, and clinician, presenting her work in Italy and Africa. She has received multiple ASCAP Special Music Awards, and two of her compositions were selected for MENC World's Largest Concerts. Among her other projects are commissioned works and short musicals centered on African American history.

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Why we love this

Simms understands the middle school choir from the inside, and it shows in every phrase. This arrangement sits perfectly for developing voices while never sacrificing the spiritual's inherent joy and authenticity. The rhythmic drive of the piano part and the invitation to handclap make this a piece that practically teaches itself to sing, and the descant on the final chorus gives singers a moment of real musicality to sink their teeth into.

What to expect

Infectious and celebratory. From the first measure, the piano bounces with infectious energy while the singers gather around a familiar spiritual melody. Handclaps punctuate the texture like a congregation finding its groove, and by the final chorus, when the descant takes flight, the whole arrangement feels like a moment of collective joy.

Who it's for

This octavo works perfectly for junior high and middle school choirs, though it remains equally effective for adult church choirs and community ensembles. The three-part mixed voicing accommodates changing voices and mixed ability levels while the spiritual tradition gives all singers something vocally and culturally meaningful to hold onto.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the handclapping cue early in rehearsal; mark it clearly in the score and have singers practice the rhythm independently before combining it with the vocal lines.
Balance the descant singers on the final chorus so they're heard without drowning out the harmonic foundation in parts 1 and 2.
Work with your pianist on the rollicking energy of the accompaniment; the rhythmic lift in the piano is what carries this piece.
Keep the tempo steady and energized throughout; this spiritual thrives on forward motion and a sense of jubilation.

How to use it

Pair this with other spirituals or gospel-rooted repertoire for a concert celebrating the spiritual tradition, or place it as an energetic centerpiece in a mixed-genre program where you need a genuine crowd-pleaser. It also makes an excellent selection for school or community worship services where the spiritual's message lands with warmth and authenticity.