Rise Up and Follow That Star: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Traditional Spiritual / arr. Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0001215
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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!
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
SKU:
00-PO-0001215
More about this title
About the Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray has directed choirs at Rosemead High School in California since 2004, where she also teaches piano. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, earning her teaching credential at California State University, Northridge.
With over 100 published choral compositions to her name, Gray writes music that speaks directly to the needs of school choirs and their directors. Her arrangements balance accessibility with musicality, a philosophy reflected in her work both as a composer and as an educator leading ensembles of all levels.
Why we love this
Gray has crafted an arrangement that starts with genuine theatrical impact. The opening command to "rise up" paired with hand gestures transforms a quiet moment into pure energy, making this piece a standout closer that leaves audiences energized. The gospel harmonies and blue notes give your singers real character to sink their teeth into, while the 3-part voicing keeps it accessible for intermediate choirs.
What to expect
The spiritual tradition meets contemporary gospel sensibility here. You'll hear rich, soulful harmonies with just enough contemporary flavor to feel alive and urgent, especially when that opening "rise up" hits with full force. It's the kind of piece that reminds audiences why they came to the concert.
Who it's for
Intermediate mixed choirs looking for a Christmas piece with genuine spirit and showmanship. This works particularly well for directors who want to program something beyond traditional carols and need a closing number with guaranteed audience engagement.
How to get the most out of it
- Open with full voice on the first "rise up" line rather than holding back to mezzo-forte. The audience connection happens in those opening seconds, so commit fully to the dramatic entrance.
- Coordinate a physical gesture on each "rise up" moment to amplify the spiritual energy and engage the audience visually.
- Shape the gospel-style harmonies with deliberate articulation and rhythmic precision; these chords need clarity to land properly.
- Balance the blue notes so they color the harmony without sounding out of tune. Hear them as intentional jazz inflection, not intonation issues.
How to use it
Program this as your finale to a Christmas concert, particularly after slower, more lyrical pieces. The energy and accessibility make it ideal for mixed-level intermediate choirs, and its theatrical opening guarantees a strong musical statement to close the evening.
Skills your students will build
- Gospel harmony voicing and blue note intonation
- Dynamic contrast and dramatic entrance execution
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated spiritual-style passages
- Balancing part independence within 3-part texture
- Connecting physical gesture and musical expression