Take Me to Higher Ground: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Strommen writes gospel spirituals that feel authentic and singable at the same time. The down-home piano accompaniment gives the piece genuine character without overwhelming younger or less experienced singers, while the uplifting message lands with real emotional weight rather than sentiment.

The music radiates warmth and uplift, grounded in the solid foundation of gospel piano. The text and melody work together to create an earnest, joyful feel that invites singers and listeners into the spiritual tradition without pretense.

This piece suits choirs across all ability levels and ages, from high school through adult ensembles. The accessible three-part voicing and straightforward harmonic language make it an excellent choice for choirs building confidence with gospel style.

• Let the piano part drive the rhythmic feel. The gospel groove in the accompaniment should influence how your singers approach their phrasing and articulation, especially in syncopated passages.
• Balance the three parts so no single voice dominates. In spirituals, the interweaving of SAB lines creates texture; clarity matters more than blend.
• Encourage singers to connect with the spiritual tradition. Spirituals carry historical weight and community meaning; rehearsal discussion of that context will deepen the performance.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsals to establish the groove and style before working parts independently.

Program this alongside other spirituals or sacred music to create a thematic concert section, or use it as a standalone opener that immediately establishes an accessible, inviting tone for your audience. The piece's sincerity and brevity (8 pages) make it ideal for closing a concert set or featuring as a special number in a multi-genre program.

• Gospel rhythmic feel and syncopation
• Phrasing and articulation in spiritual style
• Three-part SAB balance and textural clarity
• Connecting text meaning to musical interpretation