Sweet Little Jesus Boy (arr. Duane Funderburk): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Robert MacGimsey / Arranged by Duane Funderburk
Item: 35-PK01542232
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Description
Sweet Little Jesus Boy (arr. Duane Funderburk) - Instrumental parts
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01542232
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert MacGimsey
Robert MacGimsey (1906-1977) was an American composer and arranger who drew deeply from African American spiritual traditions and folk music. His arrangements captured the emotional authenticity of these genres while making them accessible to choirs of varying ability levels, earning him recognition as a bridge between vernacular music and concert settings.
Why we love this
Funderburk's orchestration honors MacGimsey's original melody while giving instrumentalists a genuine collaborative role rather than relegating them to accompaniment. The arrangement respects the spiritual's lyrical dignity, making it equally rewarding for singers focused on text and ensemble players contributing essential color and support.
What to expect
Tender and reverent, with an underlying warmth that feels both humble and confident. The melody carries the simplicity of a folk prayer, while Funderburk's orchestration adds gentle sophistication without losing the piece's conversational, intimate quality.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a single, spiritually grounded piece that works for Christmas concerts or winter assemblies without requiring soloists or overly complex staging. Choirs with developing musicians benefit from the accessibility of the vocal line and the support that instrumental parts provide.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choir's intimate vocal character against instrumental doublings by keeping dynamic levels conversational rather than full throttle; let the arrangement breathe alongside the text.
- Establish a flexible approach to tempo with your rhythm section; this spiritual benefits from gentle rubato that mirrors the emotional trajectory rather than metronomic consistency.
- Tune carefully between choir and winds during sustained harmonies, especially on the title phrase, since MacGimsey's harmony is built on color and resonance.
How to use it
Slot this into a December concert as a moment of sincere reflection between more energetic pieces, or use it to open a holiday program with something grounded in tradition. It pairs naturally with other spirituals or works from the African American choral tradition.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained legit lines with text clarity and breath control
- Balancing ensemble blend when voices overlap with instrumental parts
- Responding to flexible phrasing and rubato in rehearsal
- Reading and executing independent instrumental lines in context of a larger choir texture