Put A Little Love In Your Heart (with Love Train): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Greg Gilpin's arrangement pairs two instant classics with genuine musical intelligence. The pairing of "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" with "Love Train" creates a natural arc from introspective soul to celebratory groove, and the 2-part voicing keeps the focus on the uplifting message while remaining accessible for mixed-ability choirs.

You get two distinct emotional territories here. "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" arrives with a gentle, almost conversational tenderness, inviting listeners to consider their role in making the world kinder. "Love Train" shifts the energy entirely, channeling vintage soul and funk with an irresistible forward momentum that makes singers want to move.

This arrangement works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking repertoire that feels current and meaningful without compromising musicality. It's equally strong for community and church choirs that want material with genuine warmth and a positive message.

• Lean into the rhythmic pocket during "Love Train." The swagger of this section only lands if your singers commit to the backbeat feel rather than rushing through it.
• Balance the softer moments in "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" carefully; these vulnerable passages need space to breathe before the energy builds.
• Lock the harmonic foundation between your two parts by rehearsing them separately first, then layering them slowly to hear how the voices interlock.
• Shape the text with intention. These songs carry real meaning about kindness and community, so encourage singers to communicate the lyrics as if they're genuinely trying to move someone in the audience.

This pairing excels as a bridge piece in concerts that blend contemporary pop with classic soul material. Consider programming it after a more formal or classical selection to signal a shift in tone, or save it as a closer that leaves audiences feeling energized and hopeful. It's also strong repertoire for spring concerts or community-focused performances.

• Navigating rhythmic contrast between a ballad feel and a funk-based groove
• Blending two distinct harmonic textures in 2-part writing
• Singing with emotional authenticity and communicating lyrical meaning
• Responding to style markers specific to soul and R&B (swing eighth notes, backbeat emphasis, phrasing nuance)