Jesus, What a Wonderful Child: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Joel Raney
Item: 35-PK00433759
$29.95
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Description
Jesus, What a Wonderful Child
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00433759
More about this title
About the Arranger: Joel Raney
Joel Raney absorbed gospel music in the pews of a rural Alabama Baptist church, an experience that became foundational to his compositional voice. He earned his bachelor's degree in choral conducting from the University of North Alabama before pursuing advanced piano studies at Juilliard, where he refined the keyboard skills that inform his arrangements. Since 1999, he has become a prolific force in church music, with over 300 published titles and a role as Editor at Hope Publishing.
Raney's career spans far beyond the choir room. He has composed soundtracks for more than 2000 television and radio commercials, conducted national Broadway tours, and received recognition for his theatrical direction work in major markets. As a clinician, performer, and current Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Oak Park, Illinois, he continues to shape the landscape of contemporary sacred music with his distinctive blend of classical training and vernacular sensibility.
Why we love this
Raney's gospel-inflected arranging style brings authentic warmth to this spiritual without sacrificing the musical depth your singers deserve. The Choral Instrumental Pak format gives you immediate flexibility: lead with your voices, then add instruments as your rehearsal schedule and ensemble capabilities allow. His prolific track record and publisher credentials mean you're working with material that's been tested in hundreds of church programs.
What to expect
Warmth meets contemporary vibrancy. The spiritual foundation grounds this piece in genuine tradition, while Raney's sophisticated arranging lifts it beyond nostalgia. Your singers will feel the joy of gospel language without the weight of pastiche.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves any choir seeking accessible, stylistically authentic sacred music with room to grow. Whether you have a full instrumental ensemble or want to add instruments gradually, the Pak format adapts to your current resources without compromise.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove with your rhythm section first, then layer in the melody and harmony voices. Raney's gospel roots shine when the pulse feels natural rather than metronomic.
- Balance the lyrics so the text remains clear even when instruments enter. The spiritual's message lives in the words, and instrumental support should enhance rather than obscure them.
- Lean into the emotional arc of the arrangement. Take time with key moments of intensity or gentleness instead of maintaining uniform dynamics throughout.
How to use it
This works beautifully on a Christmas program, where it offers a spiritual counterpoint to more formal seasonal repertoire. You might also open an Easter service with it, or place it as a moment of reflection in a concert that includes lighter choral fare. The manageable difficulty level means you can program it even in a busy season.
Skills your students will build
- Performing gospel-inflected rhythmic figures with authenticity and swing
- Balancing ensemble sound when adding instruments to established vocal lines
- Interpreting spirituals with sensitivity to text and cultural context
- Reading and singing through basic harmonic movement in contemporary sacred writing