Let The Trumpet Sound (arr. John Leavitt): SATB Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's arrangement captures the confidence and jubilation of Sleeth's original without compromising accessibility. The SATB voicing sits comfortably for mixed choirs while maintaining the piece's joyful proclamation, making it ideal for Easter programs that need something both spiritually resonant and genuinely enjoyable to sing.

Bright and declarative, the piece radiates Easter hope without sentimentality. There's an almost brass band quality to the writing, with layered parts that suggest fanfare and celebration while remaining grounded in the choir's acoustic.

This arrangement serves mixed choirs of intermediate ability preparing Easter anthems, community choirs seeking repertoire with strong spiritual weight, and directors who want a piece that engages both singers and listeners. Singers need solid part-reading skills but not virtuosic range or technique.

• Articulate the text crisply to let the message of the title shine through. Clear consonants transform the piece from pleasant into powerful.
• Balance the parts so the trumpet imagery comes through sonically. The altos and tenors need support to maintain the musical picture when the sopranos are on top.
• Find the natural phrase shapes rather than stopping at every barline. Sleeth's melodies breathe, and respecting those shapes builds momentum toward key moments.
• Encourage singers to feel the joy in their bodies before they feel it in their voices. The confidence and lift will follow.

Pair this with instrumental brass or organ to amplify the trumpet imagery in the text and music. It works beautifully as a processional, recessional, or standalone Easter anthem, and its 13 pages make it substantial enough to anchor a liturgical service without overwhelming rehearsal budgets.

• Singing through sustained phrases with consistent breath support
• Balancing four-part harmony to highlight the melody line
• Articulating consonants for text clarity in ensemble
• Reading and maintaining independent vocal lines in SATB texture
• Responding to uplifting material with appropriate vocal tone and energy