John Leavitt has built a reputation as one of the most prolific and respected choral arrangers working in music education today. His arrangements span sacred and secular traditions, and they're known for being singable, accessible, and musically satisfying for singers of varying experience levels.
Why we love this
Leavitt's treatment of this spiritual classic respects the profound emotional core of the text while offering an arrangement that sits naturally for SATB voices. The nine pages give the piece room to breathe and develop without feeling overextended, making it a strong choice for choirs seeking repertoire with both spiritual weight and musical substance.
What to expect
There's a quiet resilience woven through this arrangement, the kind that emerges from deep roots in African American sacred tradition. It balances accessibility with genuine emotional honesty, inviting singers into the spiritual's message of hope and endurance rather than asking them to merely perform it.
Who it's for
SATB choirs in high school, college, and adult community settings who want a spiritually grounded arrangement with solid musicianship demands. This works equally well for choirs with strong sight reading skills and those who benefit from an arrangement that doesn't require extensive musical gymnastics.
How to get the most out of it
Shape the phrase contours across entire sections rather than stopping at bar lines; the spiritual's natural rhythmic flow benefits from vocal legato even in passages with rhythmic drive.
Balance the soprano line carefully in fuller passages so the melody reads clearly to the audience without the upper voice overwhelming inner parts.
Attend to the text's emotional arc in rehearsals by asking singers what the message means to them; this spiritual carries real theological weight and deserves more than surface-level interpretation.
How to use it
Consider programming this on a concert centered around spirituals or African American music traditions; it pairs well with other sacred repertoire and can anchor a set exploring faith and cultural heritage. It also works as a standalone showpiece for a winter or spring concert, offering audiences something both familiar and freshly interpreted.
Skills your students will build
Phrasing spirituals with attention to call and response traditions
Balancing SATB texture in arrangement writing designed for homophonic and imitative passages
Sustaining tone quality across rhythmically driven passages without tension
Interpreting text that carries cultural and spiritual significance
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