One: Let the People Sing (arr. Edwin M. Willmington): SATB Choral Octavo

Energizing and communal. The piece has the character of a call to participation rather than passive listening, with the kind of musical directness that makes singers feel connected to something larger than themselves. There's joy here, but also purpose.

Choirs with solid ensemble blend looking to expand their sacred repertoire with contemporary gospel writing. This works equally well in church settings and concert programs where directors want to include material with spiritual substance and accessibility.

• Shape the phrase arcs deliberately. Gospel phrasing often sits slightly ahead of the beat, so encourage your singers to listen for where the momentum naturally peaks rather than waiting for downbeats.
• Balance the homophonic sections carefully. When all four parts move together, the soprano line should remain visible without overpowering the harmonic foundation the other voices provide.
• Let the text breathe. 'Let the people sing' works best when there's genuine space between phrases, giving singers time to reconnect with the message before pushing forward.
• Explore dynamic contrast across verse and refrain structures. If the arrangement includes repeating sections, small changes in intensity or registration can prevent the repetition from feeling static.

Program this in a set with other contemporary sacred works to demonstrate how modern composition speaks to timeless spiritual themes. It also pairs naturally with traditional gospel standards, creating a bridge between historical and current voices in the genre.

• Gospel phrasing and rhythmic placement
• Balancing homophonic writing across four parts
• Ensemble awareness in contemporary sacred music
• Text interpretation in spiritual contexts