Petra is an American rock band that emerged from the contemporary Christian music scene in the 1970s, known for blending rock instrumentation with faith-based messaging. The group's catalog spans decades of recording and touring, making them influential figures in Christian popular music. Their work demonstrates how rock and pop sensibilities can serve devotional and inspirational purposes in both secular and sacred contexts.
Why we love this
David Schmidt's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while making it genuinely singable for SATB voices across a range of ability levels. The piece works equally well as a concert opener that energizes an audience or as a teaching tool for choirs learning to blend contemporary gospel idioms with traditional four-part writing.
What to expect
Bright and inviting, with the kind of straightforward joy that makes audiences smile. The piece has a folk-like directness paired with just enough harmonic interest to keep singers engaged and entertained throughout the two pages.
Who it's for
Choirs ranging from community and church ensembles to high school and college groups looking for contemporary sacred material that connects with audiences without sacrificing musicality. This works especially well for groups wanting to program a piece that feels current and engaging alongside more traditional sacred repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
Keep the rhythmic bounce light and conversational; over-articulating the syncopation will flatten the groove that makes this piece memorable.
Balance the sections carefully in verses so the melody stays clear without soprano drowning out alto and tenor lines.
Lean into the call-and-response nature of the text by letting different voice parts answer each other with clear, energetic diction.
How to use it
Open a pops or sacred concert with this number to signal a contemporary direction, or slot it into a themed program exploring faith and color imagery in music. Its brevity and immediate appeal make it ideal for intergenerational performances where you want material that speaks to both younger singers and adult audiences.
Skills your students will build
Singing syncopated rhythms in a gospel idiom
Blending contemporary harmonic language with traditional voice leading
Maintaining rhythmic cohesion in a groove-based arrangement
Clear diction in a pop-influenced melodic style
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