Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow!: TTBB Choral Octavo

Hayes treats the piano part as a genuine showcase for your accompanist, creating an arrangement that rewards serious musicianship while keeping the vocal writing accessible and singable. The structural arc—from majestic opening through moderate swing to a powerful close—gives your singers a complete musical journey without overwhelming them with complex voice leading.

The arrangement opens with fanfare and majesty, immediately grounding you in sacred territory before pivoting into a moderate swing that brings the spiritual into a more intimate, contemporary space. By the final measures, all of these elements converge into something powerful and affirming, creating a performance that feels both reverent and alive.

TTBB choirs with experienced singers and a capable pianist. The logical voice writing and unison sections make this accessible to intermediate-level men's choirs, while the sophisticated piano part challenges a pianist who welcomes complexity and wants an accompaniment that stands out.

• Balance the unison passages with clear diction and supported vowels; Hayes writes extensively in unison, so these sections need precision and resonance to carry the arrangement's emotional weight.
• Give your pianist substantial rehearsal time with the part independently before full ensemble rehearsals begin. The accompaniment is intricate enough that it deserves careful preparation to lock in with the singers.
• Shape the dynamic build toward the ending deliberately. The arrangement is engineered to grow in intensity, so resist the urge to sing at full volume early; save your energy for the payoff.
• Experiment with the swing feel during the moderate section. The rhythmic character of this section will feel fresher and more engaging if your singers understand how their rhythms sit against the piano's groove.

Ideal for winter or Christmas concerts where you want a spiritual that moves beyond traditional arrangements. This piece also works well in spring choral festivals or concert programs that pair sacred music with contemporary interpretations, giving audiences a familiar text in fresh musical language.

• Sustaining lines in unison writing with clarity and blend
• Rhythmic independence in swing style passages
• Dynamic shaping across a multi-section arc (fanfare, moderate swing, powerful finale)
• Responding to a complex, independent accompaniment without losing ensemble focus