Larry Gatlin is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and composer whose career spans five decades of country, gospel, and inspirational music. His compositions are known for their emotional directness and singable melodies, qualities that translate effectively to choral arrangements for both sacred and secular settings. Gatlin's work in the church music sphere reflects his deep understanding of how congregational and choir music can communicate faith and hope with clarity and warmth.
Why we love this
Gatlin's melodies have an almost inevitable quality, the kind that singers remember after one rehearsal and audiences hum on the drive home. Tom Fettke's arrangement respects the simplicity of the original while giving each voice part something purposeful to sing, making this work equally strong for accomplished choirs and those still building their ensemble sound.
What to expect
The piece carries an introspective quality, inviting singers and listeners into a personal reflection on faith and journey. Gatlin's lyrical approach creates moments of genuine warmth without relying on bombast or excess.
Who it's for
This octavo suits choirs at the intermediate level and above who want contemporary sacred music with immediate emotional impact. It works equally well for church choirs, concert choirs, and festival programs seeking accessible yet meaningful repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
Let the text drive your phrasing rather than resting on phrase endings. The narrative arc of 'Steps' depends on forward motion through the lyrical content.
Balance soloists or section leaders carefully during the opening passages; clarity in the melody line will anchor the other voices and help singers find their tuning references.
Avoid over-interpreting the arrangement. The power of this piece lives in its directness, so resist the urge to add extra dynamics or affects that aren't printed.
How to use it
Pair this with other Gatlin arrangements or contemporary sacred works for a concert segment focused on American songwriting in the church music tradition. Its nine pages fit neatly into a fuller concert program and programs well either as a standalone feature or as a companion to hymn-based repertoire.
Skills your students will build
Singing idiomatic contemporary Christian music language and phrasing
Balancing melody and supporting harmony in homophonic textures
Responding to text-driven interpretation in sacred music
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