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Spirituals for Worship: Piano Book

$12.95 USD
$12.95 USD
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Spirituals for Worship Cover Image
Spirituals for Worship: Piano Book

Spirituals for Worship: Piano Book

10 Inspiring Arrangements for Solo Piano

Arranged by Calvin Taylor

Level: Advanced

Item: 00-27928
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Description
These gorgeous solo piano settings of traditional spirituals use rich harmonies and sparkling syncopations. Titles: Deep River * Every Time I Feel the Spirit * Go Down, Moses * Hold On * Swing Low, Sweet Chariot * Talk About a Child * This Little Light of Mine * Wade in the Water * Wayfarin' Stranger * Were You There.

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Additional Details
Series: Sacred Performer Collections
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 48
ISBN10: 0-7390-4696-9
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-4696-8
UPC: 038081305738
SKU: 00-27928

More about this title

About the Arranger: Calvin Taylor

Calvin Taylor

Calvin Taylor grew up in Los Angeles, where he began piano studies as a child and was working as a church organist by his early teens. He also performed as a trumpeter with both the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic and the Southwest Youth Symphony, giving him dual instrumental training that would shape his arranging voice.

Taylor earned degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, University of Michigan, the Dick Grove School of Music, and University of Kentucky. Over three decades, he has worked in traveling music ministry across North and South America, Europe, Ukraine, and Asia, composing and arranging music that has reached audiences worldwide. His arrangements honor the spiritual tradition while bringing sophisticated harmonic language and contemporary arranging skill to every page.

Why we love this

These arrangements capture the soul of the spiritual tradition without sentimentalizing it. Taylor's harmonies are genuinely advanced, giving pianists something to sink their teeth into while keeping each melody luminous and recognizable. Worship pianists and recitalists alike will find these pieces balance accessibility with real musical substance.

What to expect

Opening these pages feels like encountering familiar melodies wearing elegant new clothes. Rich harmonic movement and syncopated rhythms give the arrangements modern sophistication while honoring the enduring power of each spiritual. The writing sparkles without ever becoming purely decorative.

Who it's for

This book serves pianists at the advanced level who play for worship services, recitals, or personal study. You need solid technical foundation and comfort with complex harmonies and rhythmic independence between hands. Whether you lead from the piano in a faith community or program spirituals for recital, this collection offers arrangements with real depth.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the syncopations breathe; avoid rushing the off-beat figures. The rhythmic energy comes from precision, not speed.
  • Balance the melody against the accompaniment so spiritual texts remain clear even when harmony gets rich. These songs carry meaning beyond the notes.
  • Use the full dynamic range available to you. These arrangements reward both intimate, quiet passages and moments of real splendor.

How to use it

Program one or two of these pieces in a worship service as a prelude, interlude, or offertory. They also work beautifully in a recital of sacred music or a program exploring American musical traditions. The collection's variety in mood and tempo makes it simple to choose the right piece for your context.

Skills your students will build

  • Advanced harmonic analysis and voice leading
  • Rhythmic independence between hands, especially syncopated accompaniment patterns
  • Interpreting and performing African American spiritual traditions with authenticity
  • Balance and texture management in densely voiced arrangements
  • Pedal technique for sustaining rich harmonic colors

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