The Old Rugged Cross: SAB Choral Octavo
The Old Rugged Cross Sheet Music Preview

The Old Rugged Cross: SAB Choral Octavo

By Rev. George Bennard / Arranged by Doug Andrews

Item: 35-DS00163965
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 7
SKU: 35-DS00163965

More about this title

About the Composer: Rev. George Bennard

Rev. George Bennard (1873-1958) was an American evangelist and prolific hymn writer whose work shaped early 20th century congregational singing. Ordained in the Free Methodist Church, he wrote "The Old Rugged Cross" in 1912, drawing on his experiences as a street evangelist and his deep conviction about the centrality of Christ's sacrifice. The hymn became one of the most recognizable and recorded sacred songs in American history, recorded thousands of times across nearly every musical genre.

Why we love this

Doug Andrews' SAB arrangement strips away nothing essential while making this profound hymn accessible to mixed choirs without sopranos. The harmonic support flows naturally, letting the melody sing clearly while giving every voice a purposeful line. Choirs consistently connect with the emotional weight of this text, and Andrews respects that gravity in every measure.

What to expect

Quiet conviction meets soaring melody. The harmonic language is straightforward yet emotionally complex, anchoring the listener in familiar territory while inviting genuine reflection. This is a song that feels both like a whispered prayer and a shared testimony.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking repertoire for Easter services, spiritual programs, or memorial contexts will find this arrangement immediately singable without sacrificing musicality. Directors working with limited soprano sections or planning mixed ensemble concerts benefit from the three-part voicing. Experienced church and school choirs at intermediate to advanced levels will connect with both the historical significance and the musical integrity of this arrangement.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the opening phrase with restraint rather than sentimentality. Let the strength of the text carry the weight; over-interpretation obscures the message.
  • Balance the three parts so the alto line remains audible throughout. In SAB voicing, altos can disappear if the soprano and bass dominate the texture.
  • Shape the climactic moments by controlling the dynamic rise gradually across phrases rather than jumping to forte. This arrangement rewards patience.
  • Consider a slower tempo than your instinct suggests. This hymn lives in contemplation, not momentum.

How to use it

Feature this as an anchor for an Easter service, pairing it with more contemporary or complex pieces to create contrast in a concert. The seven-page score accommodates a brief introduction, verses with varied textures, or congregational participation if your program calls for it. Its universal recognition also makes it valuable in programs celebrating American hymnody or the history of sacred music.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing sustained, flowing melodic lines with clear text projection
  • Part independence in three-part mixed voicing
  • Dynamic shaping across longer phrases
  • Harmonic awareness and blend in straightforward, diatonic progressions
  • Emotional expression connected to theological text

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