Great, Gettin' Up Day!: SSA Choral Octavo
Great Day * In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin' * My Lord, What a Mornin'
Traditional Spirituals / arr. Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0005994
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Here's a rousing mini-medley of three favorite spirituals in less than three minutes! A grand choral fanfare gives way to a jubilant tour through "Great Day," "In That Great Gettin' Up Mornin'," and "My Lord, What a Mornin'"---including some mingling of themes at the end. Strong part-writing makes individual lines straightforward, and a full range of dynamics creates excitement.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005994
More about this title
About the Arranger: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral music education for over three decades, first as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at major educational music publishers including Alfred Music, then as a prolific composer and arranger with more than 600 choral works in print. Her contributions to the field have earned her annual ASCAP Special Music Awards since 1987, and she has conducted honor choirs at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center.
Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977, and M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. Her work with choral movement and her gift for creating accessible yet musically substantial arrangements have made her a trusted voice in school music. She currently resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse.
Why we love this
Albrecht packs three beloved spirituals into a compact, high-energy package without sacrificing musical substance. The strong part-writing keeps each voice part engaging and singable, while her use of dynamic contrast and thematic interweaving at the close creates genuine excitement that feels proportional to the piece's brief duration.
What to expect
A celebration that builds from grand proclamation into a joyful sprint through three interconnected melodies. The piece radiates confidence and lift, with spiritual sincerity grounded in excellent musical craftsmanship.
Who it's for
SSA choirs seeking a concert opener or festival piece that energizes an audience without eating up significant rehearsal time. The straightforward part-writing makes it accessible to intermediate-level singers while the arranging sophistication keeps it interesting for more advanced ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Build momentum through the opening fanfare by bringing the full ensemble in gradually; let the dynamics tell the story rather than rushing the tempo.
- Shape each spiritual's entrance distinctly so the three themes feel like separate journeys rather than a blur. Slight tempo flexibility between sections can help clarify the transitions.
- Balance the mingled themes in the closing measures carefully so no single line overwhelms the texture. Mark where each voice has the melodic material and rehearse those moments in isolation.
- Use the full dynamic range the score offers. Albrecht has written specific markings for a reason; honor the soft moments as much as the climactic ones to maximize impact in a short timeframe.
How to use it
Program this as a vibrant concert opener that sets an uplifting tone, or pair it with other spirituals for a focused set. Its under-three-minute length makes it ideal for festival competitions where time slots are tight, and the full-ensemble writing means no singers sit out.
Skills your students will build
- Singing independent melodic lines within a blended harmonic texture
- Responding to dynamic markings that shape phrase architecture
- Tracking thematic material across harmonic variation and key movement
- Ensemble balance and blend across multiple simultaneous melodic ideas