Since I Laid My Burdens Down: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Patti Drennan
Item: 35-PK00205695
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Description
A popular spiritual takes wings with this gospel toe tapper that touches our ears with an almost Dixieland distinctive. After a slow, soulful introduction (use a soloist for a great effect), the fun begins with the piano establishing a jazzy vibe that is unrelenting in its drive. The voices answer in kind with a sassy style that will raise the roof of your concert or worship service.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00205695
More about this title
About the Arranger: Patti Drennan
Patti Drennan's career spans three decades of choral leadership in Oklahoma public schools, where she developed and directed multiple award-winning programs at West Mid-High School and Norman High School. Her consistent track record of superior ratings and the 2004 Director of Distinction Award from the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association reflect her deep understanding of what works in the rehearsal room.
As a prolific composer and arranger with over 425 published octavos and two million copies in circulation, Drennan has built a reputation for writing music that directors actually want to teach. She regularly serves as a clinician across the United States and Canada, leading workshops and composer weekends for churches and schools. Her work has been performed at Carnegie Hall, and she continues to balance active composition with performance collaborations, including recordings with her daughter Emily.
Why we love this
Drennan captures the infectious energy of a spiritual without letting it slip into novelty territory. The architecture here is smart: a contemplative opening that builds into undeniable forward momentum, giving you room to feature a soloist while keeping the whole ensemble engaged. Your singers will feel the drive in their bodies.
What to expect
The piece opens with quiet introspection, the weight of the spiritual's story present in every note. Then the piano ignites into a Dixieland-flavored groove, and suddenly you're in a room full of joy, sass, and irresistible forward motion. It's a spiritual that swings.
Who it's for
Concert choirs, gospel-leaning worship services, and ensembles comfortable with rhythmic sophistication and contemporary spiritual interpretation. This works equally well as a concert closer or a festival moment where energy matters.
How to get the most out of it
- Spotlight a vocalist with genuine expression during the slow introduction; this solo moment sets up the emotional arc and makes the swing into tempo feel earned rather than abrupt.
- Let the piano lead the rhythmic conversation in the jazzy section. Your singers respond, not initiate, so locking that instrumental pocket first pays dividends.
- Balance the sassy vocal delivery with clarity. These syncopated lines need space to land, so resist the urge to push dynamics at the expense of articulation.
- Bring the church experience into the room. This spiritual demands a sense of joy and freedom that rehearsal polish can sometimes suffocate.
How to use it
Place this late in a concert program where its jubilant character can lift the entire second half. The contrast between the opening's restraint and the subsequent drive makes it an excellent anchor for a set exploring spirituals across different moods and tempos.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythm interpretation and execution
- Phrasing across jazz-influenced vocal lines
- Ensemble listening and rhythmic independence from instrumental accompaniment
- Expressive solo singing with dynamic control
- Stylistic flexibility within a single piece (contemplative to energetic)