Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow (arr. John Leavitt): SSA Choral Octavo

Leavitt's treatment preserves the spiritual's dignity while opening it to lighter voicing. The arrangement sits comfortably for SSA and SSAA choirs, making this an excellent choice for groups looking to include African American spirituals in their Christmas programming without vocal strain.

Warm and grounded, with an inner resilience that feels earned rather than imposed. The arrangement captures both the intimate vulnerability of the spiritual tradition and its quiet strength, making it feel both reflective and life-affirming.

SSA and SSAA choirs seeking spirituals that fit holiday concerts without compromising the genre's emotional authenticity. This works equally well for school choirs, community ensembles, and church groups who want to add depth to their Christmas repertoire.

• Let the text drive your phrasing rather than forcing a strict rhythmic grid. Spirituals breathe, and Leavitt's notation leaves room for natural rubato in the opening phrases.
• Encourage singers to inhabit the call and response sections with genuine call-and-answer energy. This isn't an ornamental device here; it's the heart of the arrangement's narrative.
• Balance the harmony parts carefully in the middle section. Support voices often carry the foundation of the spiritual's harmonic language, so they need clarity without oversinging.

Pair this with secular carols or other spirituals to create a thematic set within your Christmas concert. Its 11 pages and moderate difficulty make it a solid anchor for a program that spans multiple vocal styles and cultural traditions.

• Authentic interpretation of African American spiritual style and phrasing
• Call-and-response singing with rhythmic independence
• Balancing harmonic support lines in close voicing
• Text painting and emotional communication in ensemble context