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Rise Up and Follow That Star: SATB Choral Octavo

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Rise Up and Follow That Star Cover Image
Rise Up and Follow That Star: SATB Choral Octavo

Rise Up and Follow That Star: SATB Choral Octavo

Traditional Spiritual / arr. Ruth Morris Gray

Item: 00-37841
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Description
A quote from the traditional carol anchors this Christmas spiritual. Singers will love the gospel-style chords and occasional blue notes. An exciting seasonal standout!

A NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER
In December 2011, I directed my intermediate-level mixed choir in a performance of two of my new Alfred publications. We opened with the traditional "Carol of the Bells," then performed "Winter Has Come" and "Rise Up and Follow that Star." The set worked really well. "Winter Has Come" was a lovely lyrical contrast to the quick opening piece, and allowed me to feature an outstanding student flutist. "Rise Up and Follow that Star" made a terrific closer! I had the choir open singing forte (instead of mezzo-forte as marked) and all 60 singers lifted up their hands on each "rise up!" We grabbed the audience's attention with the first line--I saw several people almost jump out of their seats. They loved it!

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081423135
SKU: 00-37841

More about this title

About the Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray serves as Director of Choirs at Rosemead High School in Rosemead, California, where she has taught since 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University, a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, and her California Single Subject Music Credential from Cal State Northridge. With over 100 published choral compositions to her name, Gray brings both compositional depth and classroom experience to every piece she creates.

Beyond the rehearsal room, Gray is an active performer and musician. She continues to compose, teach, direct, and perform while pursuing interests in travel, swimming, reading, and cycling with her husband.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the energy and accessibility that makes spiritual traditions work in high school choirs. The gospel-style harmonies and blue notes give singers immediate rhythmic and harmonic engagement, while the opening gesture (that "rise up!" moment Gray describes) provides a built-in staging opportunity that commands attention. It's the kind of piece that creates memorable moments in concert without requiring an advanced ensemble.

What to expect

Gospel warmth meets Christmas tradition. The arrangement pulses with rhythmic lift and unexpected harmonic color, grounded in the familiar melody that anchors the piece. Singers feel the joy of a spiritual tradition while exploring chords and stylistic choices that feel fresh and contemporary.

Who it's for

Intermediate mixed choirs seeking a Christmas spiritual that energizes both singers and audiences. This works equally well in high school ensembles or community choirs with intermediate sight-reading skills and comfort with contemporary gospel harmony.

How to get the most out of it

  • Open with full voice and lift your hands on each "rise up" to match the gesture Gray used with her 60-person choir; this physical commitment activates the audience from the opening line
  • Lean into the gospel-style chords and blue notes as stylistic choices, not accidents; make these moments feel intentional and grounded in the spiritual tradition
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble's rhythmic feel, especially in passages where the gospel style might tempt rubato
  • Place the blue notes with clarity and confidence so they register as deliberate harmonic color rather than mistakes

How to use it

Program this as a closing number on a Christmas concert, especially after more lyrical or traditional pieces. Gray's own experience pairing it with "Carol of the Bells" and a contrasting ballad suggests a strategic spot in mixed holiday programming where its energy and style provide decisive closure.

Skills your students will build

  • Gospel-style chord voicing and harmonic color
  • Blue note intonation and expressive placement
  • Rhythmic precision in spirituals and contemporary sacred music
  • Ensemble communication through physical gesture and staging awareness

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