David Lantz III brings classroom experience and compositional depth to every score he arranges. Teaching vocal music in Pennsylvania's public schools while maintaining an active publishing catalog of nearly 500 works, he understands what choirs need to succeed. His versatility spans sacred and secular idioms, orchestral writing, jazz, and chamber music, grounded in his own performance practice as a bassist and vocalist.
Why we love this
Lantz knows the hymn tune inside and out, and this arrangement respects the melody while giving SATB voices genuine independence and interest. The 11-page score sits in a practical rehearsal range that doesn't require stretched tessituras or excessive ranges, making it accessible to developing choirs without sacrificing musical substance.
What to expect
Reverent without being austere, this arrangement honors the hymn's spiritual weight while maintaining a flowing, lyrical quality. The SATB texture creates warmth and depth that transforms the tune into a fuller choral sound.
Who it's for
Church choirs seeking a straightforward, singable treatment of a beloved hymn text will find this arrangement immediately useful. This also works for high school and community choirs looking to program sacred music with genuine four-part writing that doesn't demand exceptional ranges or unusual ranges.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the inner voices carefully in the opening passages; the alto and tenor lines have melodic contour that deserves clarity without overshadowing the sopranos.
Shape the harmonic progression by thinking in phrases rather than measure-to-measure changes; this prevents the arrangement from feeling choppy.
Allow space for the text to breathe, particularly on longer vowels, so the sacred meaning comes through without rushed phrasing.
How to use it
This fits naturally into a mixed-voice concert celebrating hymn arrangements or works well as part of a sacred music service. Consider pairing it with other Lantz arrangements to build a set that showcases his accessible yet musically substantive approach to the genre.
Skills your students will build
Sustaining long phrases with proper breath control and diction
Balancing four-part harmony while maintaining individual line integrity
Interpreting sacred text with appropriate musical expression
Navigating standard SATB voicing and spacing
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