In the Christmas Spirit: SATB Choral Octavo

Schram's gift here is threading four beloved spirituals into a cohesive narrative without losing the character of any single tune. The brief medley format lets singers feel the arc of multiple stories within one rehearsal period, and the "Hurry, Hurry Now to Bethlehem" framing adds fresh context to repertoire your choir may already know.

The music brims with joy and momentum, moving between four distinct emotional landscapes while maintaining a sense of celebration throughout. Each spiritual brings its own character—some contemplative, others exuberant—before the driving final section pulls everything toward that urgent, hopeful "Hurry, Hurry Now" refrain.

This octavo works best for intermediate choral programs that want seasonal repertoire with substance. Singers in Grade 3 level choirs will find the voicing straightforward enough to secure quickly while still engaging with four different spiritual traditions in a single package.

• Keep the energy propulsive between spiritual transitions so the medley feels like a journey, not four separate pieces. Brief pauses are fine, but avoid letting tempo sag.
• Balance the four spirituals so familiar melodies don't overshadow the harmonic detail Schram has written underneath them. Highlight inner voices during rehearsal.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the idiomatic rhythmic feel of each spiritual, particularly the syncopation and swing that distinguishes this style.

Program this as a centerpiece for a Christmas concert's spiritual selection, or pair it with a longer sacred work to give your choir an uplifting choral medley moment. The moderate length and festive nature make it ideal for December concerts when time is tight but impact matters.

• Navigating shifts between four distinct melodic and harmonic contexts
• Singing syncopated rhythms characteristic of the spiritual tradition
• Balancing ensemble blend across SATB voicing while highlighting spiritual melodies
• Sustaining energy and forward momentum through a medley structure