This Is How We Know What Love Is: Choral Instrumental Pak

Marty Hamby's arrangement respects the song's directness while giving orchestral players meaningful parts that enhance rather than overshadow the choir. At just over four minutes, it lands in that sweet spot where you can program it as a focused spiritual statement without sacrificing concert flow.

Direct and affirming. The arrangement allows the central idea to unfold with clarity rather than complexity, creating space for both the singers and the audience to sit with the meaning. There's an honest simplicity here that serves the text's conviction.

Choirs looking for sacred repertoire with a clear theological foundation paired with accessible orchestral writing. This works equally well for church music programs, school choirs seeking concert-appropriate sacred material, and ensembles wanting to program something that resonates with both singers and listeners.

• Balance the choir's declarative statements with the orchestral accompaniment; the message lives in the text, so ensure lyrics cut through cleanly.
• Pay attention to phrase breathing with your singers. Simple music demands attention to phrasing and expression to avoid sounding mechanical.
• Coordinate strings and winds carefully during transitions to maintain the song's meditative quality.

Consider this as the centerpiece of a sacred music set, surrounded by contrasting styles or tempos. Its four-minute span makes it ideal for a concert's midsection, offering a moment of focused reflection before building toward your program's finale.

• Singing through a clear harmonic foundation without relying on complex arrangements
• Balancing choral texture with orchestral support
• Phrasing and expression in service of textual communication
• Ensemble coordination between voices and instrumental sections