Joshua (Fit The Battle Of Jericho): 2-Part Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the narrative drive of the spiritual without overcomplicating it for younger or developing choirs. Schram's two-part writing gives each section material that feels important, and the piece lands with genuine emotional impact despite its modest forces.

Energetic and story driven. The piece captures the building momentum of a spiritual; you feel the confidence and conviction of the singers as they recount faith and triumph. There's jubilation here, grounded in a strong melodic line that sits naturally in the voice.

Middle school and high school choirs looking for spirituals that sit comfortably in two parts, as well as community choirs and church music programs. This works especially well when you want a piece rooted in African American musical tradition that doesn't demand advanced reading skills.

• Anchor the rhythm section (or rhythm from your strongest singers) so the steady pulse supports the storytelling. The spiritual's power comes partly from rhythmic conviction.
• Shape phrases as if you're telling the story. Find moments where the melody can breathe and moments where it pushes forward toward the walls coming down.
• Balance clarity of text with the melodic line. Every word matters in this narrative, but not every word needs to sit on top of the ensemble.

Pair this with other spirituals or folk arrangements to build a concert around stories of resilience and hope. It works especially well as a closer for a pops or multicultural concert, where its directness and joy create a memorable final impression.

• Singing in two independent parts with clear voice leading
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble control in a gospel idiom
• Text clarity and diction in a narrative-driven arrangement
• Stylistic awareness of the spiritual tradition and its performance conventions