Soon And Very Soon (arr. Rollo Dilworth): SSA Choral Octavo

Rollo Dilworth's SSA setting preserves the infectious optimism of Crouch's original while making it genuinely singable for emerging choirs. The arrangement opens doors for groups still building confidence with three-part voicing, yet the harmonic language remains sophisticated enough to hold your singers' interest through rehearsal and performance.

Expectant and celebratory. The melodic line carries an unmistakable uplift, driven by rhythm patterns that feel natural to sing rather than imposed from above. There's a warmth in the harmonies and an optimism that singers internalize quickly, making rehearsals genuinely joyful.

SSA choirs with basic to intermediate skills who want meaningful sacred music that doesn't require years of training to sound confident. This works equally well in school choirs seeking quality Christian repertoire and church ensembles wanting a contemporary gospel piece that feels both rooted in tradition and forward-looking.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the opening section before anything else. If your singers lock the syncopation early, the joy of the piece becomes contagious rather than chaotic.
• Balance the upper voices carefully when they move in parallel motion; lean on the middle voice (mezzo-soprano or second soprano) to anchor the harmonic foundation.
• Let the text drive your tempo choices. Gospel songs need room to breathe and emphasize the message, so resist the urge to rush through quarter-note passages.
• Highlight the text painting on key words like "soon" and "very soon" with slight dynamic shaping to reinforce the anticipation built into the lyric.

Position this as a concert closer or a strong mid-program piece that shifts energy and lifts the audience. It pairs beautifully alongside other contemporary sacred works, or it can anchor a program exploring gospel influences in modern worship. The five-page length keeps your rehearsal load manageable while delivering full impact.

• Reading and sustaining syncopated rhythms in a gospel style
• Balancing three-part harmony with distinct melodic roles
• Singing with rhythmic independence while maintaining blend
• Interpreting text expression and emotional subtext in sacred music