Patti Drennan's teaching career spanned 28 years in Norman Public Schools, where she built award-winning choral programs at West Mid-High School and Norman High School. She earned degrees in music education from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, and her consistent excellence earned her the Director of Distinction Award from the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association in 2004.
With over 425 published octavos and two million copies in circulation, Drennan has become a prolific voice in contemporary choral writing. Since retiring from classroom teaching, she has worked as a clinician across 19 states and multiple Canadian provinces, led composer weekends for churches nationwide, and continues to compose and arrange. Her work has been performed at Carnegie Hall, and she remains active in performance, recording, and music reading sessions for major publishers.
Why we love this
Drennan's spiritual arrangements carry genuine warmth without resorting to sentimentality. The two-part voicing opens this celebration to singers at varying levels of experience, making it accessible for elementary through middle school choirs while maintaining musical integrity that won't bore more developed ensembles.
What to expect
The piece moves with the momentum of its title, propelled by the spiritual energy of the train metaphor. Singers experience the joy and determination embedded in this African American tradition, delivering music that feels both reflective and celebratory.
Who it's for
Elementary and middle school choirs seeking repertoire that connects to sacred traditions while remaining engaging for young singers. Churches using children's or youth choirs will find this particularly valuable for services exploring spirituality and cultural heritage.
How to get the most out of it
Let the rhythmic drive of the train imagery carry the piece forward; avoid dragging the tempo even when teaching sections separately.
Encourage singers to hear the spiritual tradition beneath the text; ground the phrasing in the long lines rather than individual words.
Balance the two parts so that neither dominates; this piece thrives when both voices create equal presence in the overall sound.
Work dynamics expressively within the two-part texture to avoid flatness in the middle register.
How to use it
Include this in a concert exploring spirituals and American sacred music traditions, pairing it with other Drennan arrangements or works by composers drawing from similar wells. It works particularly well in services during Black History Month or as part of broader programming about faith and cultural expression.
Skills your students will build
Singing in two-part harmony with secure voice independence
Interpreting spiritual and cultural traditions authentically
Maintaining rhythmic momentum and energy across phrases
Blending voices while maintaining individual clarity
Understanding the historical and spiritual context of the text
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