In the Christmas Spirit: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Incorporating the Spirituals "Mary Had a Baby," "The Angel Band," "I'm Gonna Sing," and "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"
Original words and music by Ruth Elaine Schram
Level: Moderate
Item: 00-PO-0006817
$1.60
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Spirituals are a rich part of our heritage and a perfect way to capture the "spirit" of the season! Ruth Elaine Schram has created an animated tapestry of four popular spirituals - "Mary Had a Baby;" "The Angel Band;" "I'm Gonna Sing;" and "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" - and tied them together in a brief medley, compelling us to "Hurry, Hurry Now to Bethlehem!" A fun work for the Christmas season!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Church Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006817
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Elaine Schram
Ruth Elaine Schram is a prolific composer and arranger whose work appears regularly in school and church music curricula. She has a gift for making spirituals and traditional sacred music accessible to young singers without sacrificing musical integrity or emotional depth.
Why we love this
Schram's medley approach lets you program four beloved spirituals in one rehearsal slot, which is smart programming for a busy December calendar. The brisk energy and clear connections between pieces keep singers engaged, and the moderate difficulty level means you can spend rehearsal time on interpretation and joy rather than basic technical hurdles.
What to expect
A celebratory gathering of voices, woven together from familiar spiritual melodies. The piece radiates warmth and invitation, with enough rhythmic drive to feel contemporary while honoring the deep roots of these traditional songs.
Who it's for
Middle school and high school choirs ready to tackle mixed voicing will find this piece rewarding. It works equally well for community choirs, church youth groups, and school programs looking for accessible yet musically substantial Christmas repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo moving between spiritual sections; resist the urge to slow down on transitions. The piece is designed to feel like one continuous celebration.
- Balance the opening "Mary Had a Baby" simply so you have room to build energy as each spiritual enters the medley.
- Emphasize the text painting in "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" by shaping the phrase "Go, tell it on the mountain" with clear articulation and forward momentum.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the rhythmic feel, especially where the spirituals overlap or move between different harmonic contexts.
How to use it
Perfect for a winter concert finale or as a bridge between secular and sacred programming. The medley format also makes it ideal for a "spirituals through the ages" concert segment or as a companion to other arrangements of African American music.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in 2-part mixed voicing with awareness of independent lines
- Interpreting spirituals with historical respect and contemporary musicality
- Managing transitions between contrasting melodic sections
- Building and sustaining ensemble energy across a multi-section medley
- Balancing text clarity with musical phrasing in a fast-moving arrangement