Swingin' With The Saints (arr. Mark Hayes): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Mark Hayes
Item: 35-PK01313242
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Description
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "When the Saints Go Marching In" really belong together in this dynamic, soulful setting, which contrasts the two classic spirituals in such an exciting way that your choir won't want it to end! Skillfully arranged for singers.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01313242
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes has composed and arranged over 1,750 works across every musical style, from sacred choral music to jazz to Broadway orchestrations. A summa cum laude graduate in Piano Performance from Baylor University, Hayes has conducted at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, and received the 2010 Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music from his alma mater.
Beyond his prolific output as a composer, Hayes has established himself as a skilled orchestrator and recording producer with particular expertise in choral writing. His work spans concert premieres at major venues worldwide, commissioned pieces for institutions from Hong Kong to Rome, and theatrical scores that have won multiple festival awards. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hayes continues to create music across classical, gospel, and popular idioms.
Why we love this
Hayes pairs two beloved spirituals in a single arc, building from the introspective opening to an exuberant finale that leaves singers and audiences energized. The arrangement respects the soul of both songs while creating fresh drama through contrast and instrumental interplay, giving your choir a complete emotional journey in one number.
What to expect
The piece begins in hushed reflection, invoking the longing of 'Swing Low,' then pivots into the exuberant parade energy of 'When the Saints Go Marching In.' It feels like a conversation between two sides of the spiritual tradition: the intimate plea for salvation and the communal celebration of faith.
Who it's for
Concert choirs looking for a substantial spiritual arrangement that engages both singers and audiences without requiring extended rehearsal time. This works equally well for community choirs, church choirs stepping into concert settings, and student ensembles ready for Hayes' stylistic sophistication.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening of 'Swing Low' with restraint; the arrangement's power comes from the dynamic lift toward 'When the Saints,' so resist the urge to sing everything at full volume early.
- Lean into the swing feel with the rhythm section; Hayes writes these two melodies to sit differently rhythmically, and that tension between them is where the excitement lives.
- Balance the choir against the instruments deliberately. Let the accompaniment breathe between phrases rather than blending into a uniform wash.
How to use it
Use this as the emotional centerpiece of a concert exploring American sacred music, or as the encore that sends audiences out smiling. It also pairs naturally with other Hayes arrangements or spirituals arranged in contrasting styles, giving you flexibility in building a program around it.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythm articulation and feel
- Dynamic contrast between intimate and celebratory sections
- Sectional independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Interpretation of two distinct melodic and harmonic languages within one piece