This Train Goes Marching In: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The interweaving of two beloved spirituals creates instant familiarity while offering genuine compositional intrigue. Feldstein's clever voice leading keeps both melodies audible and singable, and the optional band arrangement transforms this from a choral piece into a full ensemble collaboration that energizes any performance.

Joyful and rhythmically propulsive, with the familiar spiritual melodies creating immediate warmth. The layering generates a fuller sound than the voicing suggests, and there's a celebratory energy that invites movement and interaction.

This works equally well for community choirs, school choirs at the middle and early high school levels, and church ensembles. The 2-part voicing keeps the arrangement accessible while the partner song concept keeps it engaging for singers who know these melodies.

• Establish clear independence between the two melodic lines in early rehearsals by isolating each part; singers need confidence in their own line before attempting the blend.
• Let the recorded accompaniment guide tempo and style initially, then consider whether live accompaniment or movement demands adjustments to phrasing.
• If you stage choreography, choreograph the harmony line first so movement doesn't obscure the secondary melody.

This pairs naturally with other spirituals or traditional American music in a concert celebrating folk traditions. It also serves as a standalone opener or closer because the partner song concept and optional band support give it enough substance to stand alone despite its brevity.

• Singing harmony against a contrasting independent melody
• Maintaining rhythmic clarity in syncopated gospel-influenced figures
• Blending two distinct melodic lines with equal audibility
• Coordinating ensemble movement with vocal production
• Responding to accompaniment cues from band or piano