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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: SATB, <I>a cappella</I> Choral Octavo

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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands Cover Image
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Spiritual / arr. Robert DeCormier

Item: 00-LG51921
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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

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Description
This classic spiritual arranged by the amazingly talented Robert DeCormier should be in the library of every high school choir. Sure to inspire your audience and students alike!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands: SATB, a cappella 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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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Lawson-Gould Music Publishers
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
UPC: 783556010456
SKU: 00-LG51921

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert DeCormier

Robert DeCormier

Robert DeCormier studied at Juilliard and built a career spanning classical music, Broadway, folk traditions, and spirituals. He served as music director of the New York Choral Society for seventeen years, worked as conductor and arranger for Harry Belafonte, and directed the vocal ensemble for Peter, Paul and Mary from 1978 to 2010. His work earned him recognition including a Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Choral Arts Foundation.

Beyond his conducting roles, DeCormier was an associate professor at the Eastman School of Music and founded Counterpoint, a professional ensemble that performed across New England and collaborated with high school choirs through workshops and concert programs. His arrangements drew from African-American spirituals, American folk songs, and international repertoire, resulting in numerous recordings released on prestigious labels. His television credits include work with Jessye Norman and a CBS Emmy-winning special with Harry Belafonte.

Why we love this

DeCormier's arrangement honors the spiritual's roots while crafting writing that sits comfortably in the high school voice range. The a cappella texture strips away distraction, letting the choir's voices carry both the melody and the spiritual weight of the text without instrumental crutches.

What to expect

A cappella singing opens the door to intimacy and vulnerability. Listeners hear the human voice unfiltered, carrying both the comfort and the conviction of a beloved spiritual. DeCormier's writing reinforces that quality, letting harmony build gradually and allowing silence to matter as much as sound.

Who it's for

High school SATB choirs with solid fundamental blend and intonation. This arrangement works equally well in concert, contest, and festival settings, making it a reliable choice for groups seeking a spiritual that demands musicality without extreme technical demands.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish a steady, unhurried tempo that allows the text to breathe and resonate. This spiritual thrives in space rather than speed.
  • Balance the soprano line against the lower voices so the melody emerges clearly without the alto, tenor, and bass parts disappearing into shadow.
  • Consider how your singers will breathe between phrases; mark breath points in rehearsal so entries feel coordinated rather than staggered.
  • Explore dynamic contrast within the a cappella texture by shaping phrases with slight swells that deepen the emotional arc without demanding extreme vocal changes.

How to use it

Program this piece as an anchor in a concert that explores American choral traditions or as a contemplative moment between more energetic works. It also stands as a strong festival or competition selection for choirs demonstrating mature ensemble blend and attention to text.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in tune without instrumental support
  • Balancing four-part SATB texture with awareness of individual voice line integrity
  • Shaping phrases with dynamic subtlety in an a cappella context
  • Coordinating breath points and cutoffs across all four voice parts
  • Understanding and expressing the spiritual tradition and cultural significance of African-American sacred music

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