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

Leavitt's treatment of this spiritual captures the urgency and hope in the text without overcomplicating the harmonic landscape. The arrangement sits comfortably for SATB singers and builds momentum naturally, making it both musically satisfying and genuinely singable for groups preparing holiday concerts.

The piece radiates spiritual conviction and forward motion. There's an infectious rhythmic energy to the text setting, grounded in the tradition of the spiritual itself, that makes singers feel the urgency of the message even as they focus on their individual lines.

High school, community, and church choirs seeking a spiritual arrangement that works within a holiday program without sacrificing artistic depth. This octavo serves groups of mixed ability that want genuine material with accessible ranges and clear musical purpose.

• Establish the spiritual's call-and-response character early in rehearsal; clarity of text articulation will strengthen the piece's narrative drive.
• Anchor the altos and tenors on their lower lines during the unison passages to anchor the harmonic foundation before voices separate.
• Let the dynamic shape follow the text's emotional arc rather than imposing artificial swells; the message carries the music.

This works beautifully as a centerpiece in a holiday concert that moves beyond secular material. Pair it with instrumental arrangements of spirituals or position it between contrasting styles to highlight the depth and cultural weight it brings to any program.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated phrase structures
• Textual clarity and expression in spirituals
• Balancing individual voice parts against unified harmonic sound
• Managing call-and-response textures across four voices