The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy Cover Image

The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy: SATB Choral Octavo

$2.95 USD

The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-LG51271
Price: 2.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Spiritual / arr. Robert DeCormier

Item: 00-LG51271

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Lawson-Gould Music Publishers

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 783556004608

SKU: 00-LG51271

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert DeCormier

Robert DeCormier's career bridged classical training and popular music in ways few conductors achieved. A Juilliard graduate, he spent seventeen years leading the New York Choral Society, served as music director for Peter, Paul and Mary from 1978 to 2010, and worked extensively as conductor and arranger for Harry Belafonte. His teaching positions included the Eastman School of Music, where he was an associate professor of conducting and ensembles from 1972 to 1977.

DeCormier's arrangements became his signature contribution to American choral music. He worked across spirituals, folk songs, and international repertoire, creating recordings that appeared on major labels including Arabesque, Vox, and Centaur. In Vermont, he founded the professional vocal ensemble Counterpoint in 2000, which performed concert programs and led workshops with high school choirs throughout New England. His honors include the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Choral Arts Foundation.

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Why we love this

DeCormier's treatment honors the spiritual's roots while creating four-part writing that sounds natural and singable, not academic. The a cappella texture puts the focus squarely on blend and intonation, making this an excellent vehicle for teaching choral fundamentals without relying on piano support.

What to expect

Joyful and grounded. DeCormier's arrangement lets the familiar melody breathe while creating harmonic support that feels supportive rather than complicated, resulting in a performance that sounds both celebratory and reverent.

Who it's for

Choirs of intermediate to advanced ability looking for sacred repertoire that works for both concert and contest settings. The piece rewards groups with secure intonation and a willingness to invest time in blend.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the rhythmic foundation in the lower voices first. The basses and tenors carry the melodic weight in places, and locking their rhythm creates the steadiness the sopranos need.
Approach the dynamics as phrasing decisions, not volume changes. This spiritual breathes best when singers understand where each phrase belongs within the larger emotional arc.
Isolate any divisi passages in sectional rehearsals. DeCormier uses voice divisions sparingly, and clarity here prevents balance problems in performance.
Sing through without stopping once the piece is learned. The a cappella format reveals ensemble tuning issues immediately, and running the full arc helps singers hear what's working.

How to use it

Pair this with other spirituals or folk-based sacred works to build a thematic program around American musical traditions. It also works as a concert opener or closer, where its warmth and accessibility create immediate connection with audiences.