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

Rollo Dilworth's arrangement captures the infectious joy and spiritual urgency of Crouch's original without sacrificing the song's emotional core. The harmonic language sits comfortably in four-part writing while maintaining authentic gospel idiom, making it accessible for developing choirs without simplifying what makes the piece resonate.

Urgency tempered with confidence. The piece propels forward with steady momentum while the harmonic language conveys a quiet assurance underneath the energy. Singing it creates a sense of forward motion paired with emotional grounding.

This arrangement serves choirs at the high school through community level who want authentic gospel repertoire that builds musical skills without requiring an intermediate handclap or extensive rhythmic training. It works equally well for secular choirs exploring the gospel idiom and for church ensembles seeking fresh arrangements of a beloved standard.

• Establish the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal. Gospel swing requires consistent subdivision even when you're not singing; tap eighth notes to internalize the groove.
• Shape phrases toward the text rather than toward bar lines. Let "soon" land with anticipation, and let the longer notes breathe.
• Balance the soloistic moments in the soprano line against ensemble passages so individual singers don't retreat when the texture thickens.
• Blend vowels across the octavo parts, particularly in sustained chords, to create warmth without sacrificing clarity of text.

Pair this with other gospel standards or spirituals to build a thematic program celebrating African American sacred music traditions. It also stands effectively as a secular concert opener, signaling an ensemble's versatility and musical breadth before shifting into classical or contemporary repertoire.

• Gospel rhythmic vocabulary and swing feel
• Independent melodic lines in mixed voicing
• Text projection and diction in contemporary styles
• Call-and-response singing patterns
• Harmonic listening within jazz-influenced chord progressions