Let Us Talents And Tongues Employ (arr. John Leavitt): 2-Part Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's arrangement captures the infectious joy of this folk melody while keeping the vocal writing completely accessible for developing singers. The 2-part texture allows mixed choirs to sing together without gender-specific divisi, and the text about using our gifts resonates powerfully in any educational or worship setting.

Warm, encouraging, and genuinely celebratory. The folk melody carries an infectious lightness that makes singers want to move, while the harmonic support grounds everything in stability and sincerity. There's an unpretentious generosity in the music that reflects the text's message about giving your gifts freely.

This arrangement works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking energetic sacred repertoire that doesn't demand extensive range or complex part writing. It's equally suited to adult community choirs and worship settings where accessibility and joy matter as much as musicianship.

• Emphasize the rhythmic vitality of the accompaniment; these grooves should feel conversational rather than metronomic, giving singers room to breathe naturally within the pulse.
• Balance the melody clearly in the first verse before adding harmonic interest, so the folk song's essential character shines through before the arrangement deepens.
• Let the lyrics drive the phrasing. 'Let us talents and tongues employ' needs a sense of purposeful offering, not merely technical precision.

Pair this with other world music selections to create a culturally diverse concert segment, or use it as an opener to lift energy and set a welcoming tone. It also works beautifully in a service of worship where the theme involves stewardship or community service.

• Singing with rhythmic independence from the accompaniment
• Balancing melody and harmony in a 2-part texture
• Connecting text to musical character and interpretation
• Understanding folk music traditions and cultural authenticity