Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing (arr. Paul Murtha): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By J. Rosamond Johnson / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00471021
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Description
This powerful anthem of hope and inspiration offers a timely message for any occasion. Here's an arrangement for the stands or field that is quick to learn and sounds great.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00471021
More about this title
About the Composer: J. Rosamond Johnson
J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) was a composer, lyricist, and performer who shaped American musical culture across multiple genres. He collaborated with his brother James Weldon Johnson to create "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" in 1900, a work that became a cornerstone of African American cultural expression and is widely recognized as the Black National Anthem.
Beyond this iconic composition, Johnson had a prolific career as a musical theater composer and was deeply involved in advancing Black artists in concert and performance spaces. His contributions to spirituals, art songs, and popular music of the early 20th century demonstrate a composer committed to both artistic excellence and cultural representation.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the emotional weight and dignity of the original while making it fully accessible to bands at the Grade 2 level. Murtha's voicing balances simplicity with sophistication, allowing even younger ensembles to deliver a performance that feels genuine and moving rather than thin or overstated.
What to expect
Stately, reverent, and forward-moving all at once. The piece unfolds with quiet confidence rather than fanfare, building emotional presence through clean harmony and deliberate pacing. There's warmth in the voicing and a sense of collective purpose that invites both players and listeners into a shared moment.
Who it's for
Any marching band wanting to add a piece with genuine cultural weight and accessibility to their repertoire. This works equally well for fall or spring programming, in stadium or concert hall settings, and for ensembles new to performing spirituals.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with deliberate dynamic control; this is a processional piece, not a march, so resist the urge to push the tempo or energy too early.
- Pay attention to sectional balance in the harmonies. This arrangement works because all voices matter equally; make sure you're hearing all four voices bloom together.
- Work the text into your rehearsals from the start. Even instrumental players benefit from understanding the poetry and message when building phrasing and expression.
- Maintain steady, supported tone quality throughout the longer note values. Tone, not volume, is what makes this anthem resonate.
How to use it
Consider opening a concert with this piece to set a reflective tone, or use it to close a program with purpose. It pairs beautifully alongside other spirituals or hymn arrangements, and can serve as a powerful standalone statement in multicultural concert programming.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across entire phrases and sections
- Balancing harmonic blend and voicing clarity in homophonic textures
- Maintaining steady tempo and pulse without driving or rushing
- Understanding and expressing cultural and historical context in performance
- Reading and executing dynamics and articulation markings with intention