Good News!: SATB Choral Octavo
Arr. Patsy Ford Simms
Item: 00-PO-0004568
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
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.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004568
More about this title
About the Arranger: Patsy Ford Simms
Patsy Ford Simms began her publishing career in 1981 and has since created over 300 songs for educational and church settings, working with major publishers including Shawnee Press. Her prolific output emerged from a practical challenge: during her early years teaching, she found few quality choral octavos suitable for junior high and middle school voices, so she began writing and arranging to fill that gap.
Simms holds 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 three decades of K-12 teaching and her work at the Youth Performing Arts School informed her deep understanding of what works in rehearsal. She has served as a clinician and presenter internationally, received multiple ASCAP Special Music Awards, and had two of her compositions selected for MENC World's Largest Concerts. Her catalog includes commissioned works and choral pieces centered on African American history.
Why we love this
Simms understands what makes a spiritual work in mixed choir settings, and this arrangement delivers it without pretense. The rollicking piano part energizes the piece while remaining playable, the hand-clapping grounds singers in the groove, and the swinging descant on the final chorus gives your ensemble a moment of genuine joy. It's the kind of piece that feels effortless to teach and irresistible to sing.
What to expect
Spirited and inviting, with the kind of warmth that comes from genuine folk roots rather than formal arrangement. The hand-clapping and swinging rhythm create a celebratory mood, while the strong melodic line lets singers feel the joy of the text without technical strain.
Who it's for
Directors seeking authentic spiritual arrangements that work for junior high through adult choirs without requiring a specialist's touch. This is ideal if you need a piece that builds ensemble confidence, engages singers immediately, and plays well in concert programs or worship settings.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the hand-clapping rhythm early in rehearsal so it becomes a physical anchor for the ensemble; once the clapping settles, the vocal parts will follow more naturally.
- Balance the descant carefully on the final chorus. The soprano part should sing through without overwhelming the lower voices, so ask sopranos to sing from the middle of their range rather than pushing toward the top.
- Work the swing feel with your piano accompanist first; a relaxed, conversational bounce will give the whole piece its personality and make the text feel alive.
How to use it
Pair this with other spirituals for a thematic concert segment, or use it as a high-energy closer that leaves your audience smiling. It works equally well in church services, school concerts, or community performances where accessibility and genuine spirit matter more than complexity.
Skills your students will build
- Singing syncopated rhythms in a swing feel
- Coordinating rhythmic body percussion (hand-clapping) with vocal lines
- Balancing harmony parts with a prominent descant
- Sustaining musical energy and character through a spiritual's text