The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB Choral Octavo
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (arr. Joseph M. Martin) Sheet Music Preview

The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB Choral Octavo

Arranged by Joseph M. Martin

Item: 35-DS01449214
Digital Download
$2.99
Description

The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (arr. Joseph M. Martin): SATB Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 8
SKU: 35-DS01449214

More about this title

About the Arranger: Joseph M. Martin

Joseph M. Martin

Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and later earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. His concert career has taken him across the United States and Mexico, including performances with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra following his win in the Nina Plant Wideman Competition, and his recital work has been broadcast nationally. In recent decades, Martin has channeled his compositional and arranging talents toward church music and worship settings, building a catalog that spans from Carnegie Hall to sanctuaries across North America. He resides in Austin, Texas with his family.

Martin's gift for arrangement is evident in the variety of contexts where his music appears. Whether scoring for chamber ensembles, full orchestras, or vocal groups, he brings the sensibility of a trained pianist and a deep understanding of what makes music come alive in performance. His prolific output reflects both technical mastery and genuine care for the musicians and congregations who bring his work to life.

Why we love this

Martin's arrangement strips away unnecessary complexity while preserving the spiritual warmth and rhythmic vitality that make this spiritual endure. The voicing sits comfortably for mixed choirs of varying experience levels, and the harmonic language feels both respectful to the tradition and fresh enough to hold listeners' attention.

What to expect

This arrangement captures the infectious joy and spiritual grace of the original spiritual without pretense or sentimentality. There is lightness in the harmonic movement and genuine warmth in how the voices interweave, creating an inviting sound that draws listeners in.

Who it's for

Any SATB choir looking for seasonal music that works equally well in concert, worship, or community settings. The modest page count and straightforward voicing make it accessible to high school and early college ensembles, while the musical depth rewards more experienced singers.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the rhythm section establish the steady, driving pulse that anchors this spiritual. The piece draws its energy from forward motion, not from lingering on individual phrases.
  • Shape the soprano line with gentle arcs across phrases rather than dramatic dynamic swells. Restraint here creates intimacy even in concert settings.
  • Balance the parts so altos and tenors can phrase expressively without overwhelming the melody. The arrangement asks for conversation between voices, not hierarchy.

How to use it

Pair this with other seasonal spirituals or carols to build a set rooted in American musical tradition. Its eight pages fit neatly into a mixed concert, and the modest technical demands mean it won't crowd out rehearsal time for more challenging repertoire during the busy holiday season.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing independent melodic lines within a homophonic texture
  • Phrasing spiritual-inflected music with rhythmic integrity and lyrical expression
  • Singing sustained harmony parts that support without overwhelming the melody
  • Understanding call-and-response and call-and-answer traditions in American sacred music

You May Also Like