Ride On, King Jesus (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB Choral Octavo
Ride On, King Jesus (arr. Joseph M. Martin) Sheet Music Preview

Ride On, King Jesus (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Joseph M. Martin

Item: 35-DS01125926
Digital Download
$2.50
Description

Ride On, King Jesus (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB 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.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 9
SKU: 35-DS01125926

More about this title

About the Arranger: Joseph M. Martin

Joseph M. Martin

Joseph M. Martin trained as a concert pianist, earning degrees in piano performance from Furman University and the University of Texas at Austin. He spent five years teaching piano pedagogy at UT Austin while maintaining an active performance schedule, appearing as a soloist with orchestras across the United States and Mexico and winning the prestigious Nina Plant Wideman Competition, which led to performances with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra.

Over the past decades, Martin has shifted his creative energy toward church music and choral composition. His works span from Carnegie Hall to worship services across North America, reflecting his commitment to making meaningful music accessible in both concert halls and congregational settings. He remains based in Austin, Texas, where he continues composing and arranging while nurturing his deep involvement in church music education and performance.

Why we love this

Martin's arrangement honors the spiritual's inherent power while making it genuinely singable for mixed voices of varying abilities. The writing sits comfortably in the middle of the range for all four parts, and the harmonic language feels both respectful to tradition and fresh enough to engage contemporary singers.

What to expect

There's a quiet dignity in this arrangement, paired with an undercurrent of hope that builds as you move through it. The spiritual's message of redemption and triumph feels both deeply personal and communal, inviting singers and listeners alike into a moment of genuine reflection.

Who it's for

This arrangement serves choirs seeking accessible sacred repertoire that connects to the African American spiritual tradition with authenticity and respect. It works equally well for community choirs, church ensembles, and educational programs that want meaningful Easter programming.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the soprano line carefully in the opening phrases so it doesn't overshadow the overall texture; this spiritual works best when all voices share the weight equally.
  • Allow space for the text to breathe, especially during moments of call and response. Slight rhythmic flexibility here enhances the spiritual's conversational, intimate character.
  • Attend to the lower voices' supporting role. When basses and tenors lock in with confidence, sopranos and altos can sing with greater ease and freedom.
  • Consider the acoustic of your space when setting dynamics. Spirituals can muddy in reverberant rooms if the ensemble pushes too hard early on; strategic use of restraint builds more effective climactic moments.

How to use it

Seat this as a centerpiece in an Easter service or spring concert, or program it alongside other spirituals to create a thematic set that explores African American sacred music traditions. Its nine pages and moderate difficulty make it suitable for mid-season preparation, giving your choir time to develop the nuance this repertoire deserves.

Skills your students will build

  • Phrasing and breath management in longer melodic lines
  • Balancing blend in four-part writing
  • Interpretation of African American spiritual traditions
  • Dynamic control and text-sensitive singing

You May Also Like