Psalm 23 Sheet Music Preview

Psalm 23: SSA Choral Octavo

By Rollo Dilworth

Item: 35-DS01280179

Digital Download
$2.99
Description

Psalm 23: SSA Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS01280179

More about this title

About the Composer: Rollo Dilworth

Rollo Dilworth is a composer and arranger whose work spans choral music, vocal jazz, and concert arrangements for ensembles of all levels. His compositions are known for accessibility paired with genuine musical substance, making them equally at home in festival competitions and community performances.

Dilworth's approach to choral writing prioritizes clear harmonic language and singable lines without sacrificing sophistication. His settings of familiar texts, including spirituals and sacred works, have become staples in educational and professional choirs across North America.

Why we love this

Dilworth's take on this beloved psalm bypasses sentimentality while honoring the text's profound spiritual weight. The SSA voicing opens doors for groups that might struggle with SATB ranges, yet the harmonic writing never feels simplified or thin. This is the kind of piece that sounds both genuine and immediately rewarding to singers and listeners alike.

What to expect

Calm and grounded. The harmonic language unfolds with a sense of inevitability, never rushing or overselling the emotion. Singers will feel the spiritual resonance without needing dramatic gestures to convey it.

Who it's for

SSA choirs of high school or college level will find a piece that respects their voices while offering genuine interpretive challenges. Groups seeking sacred concert repertoire that avoids cliché will connect with Dilworth's honest approach to this psalm.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape each phrase to breathe naturally with the text; resist the urge to push tempo in search of clarity. The strength of this piece lives in transparent harmonic movement, not speed.
  • Balance the soprano and alto sections carefully during unison passages to preserve the blend while maintaining text clarity.
  • Attend to dynamic control across the full arc. Many directors underestimate how much impact subtle shifts (pp to p, mf to mp) create in understated harmonic writing.

How to use it

Pair this with other SSA literature for a cohesive concert program, or program it as a centerpiece in a sacred music festival set. Its modest page count and moderate difficulty make it accessible for spring or fall festivals without requiring extended rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining long vowels while maintaining ensemble blend
  • Hearing and tuning tertian harmony across voice parts
  • Lyrical phrasing in text-driven music
  • Dynamic control in understated, introspective passages

You May Also Like