Today (As For Me And My House): SATB Choral Octavo

Harold Ross's arrangement respects the intimacy of Doerksen's original while giving SATB choirs real harmonic interest and textural variety. The piece works for choirs at multiple skill levels because the vocal writing is singable without being simplistic, and the contemporary idiom engages singers who might otherwise tune out traditional repertoire.

Warm and declarative. The harmonic language sits in accessible contemporary idiom without feeling dated, and the text carries conviction without sentimentality. Singers tend to feel invested in this material because the vocal lines sit naturally in the voice.

SATB choirs ranging from intermediate high school groups to semi-professional ensembles. This works especially well for directors seeking contemporary sacred music that avoids both oversimplification and excessive technical demands.

• Balance the four parts so text remains clear; contemporary sacred writing often suffers from buried lyrics in the lower voices.
• Find the natural speech rhythm within the phrase shapes rather than imposing metronomic precision; this piece breathes.
• Explore how dynamics can shift focus between parts to support the theological arc of the text.
• Use any recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool first, then consider whether a live piano or band arrangement might suit your performance space.

Pair this with a traditional hymn or classical sacred work to frame a program that bridges generations. It also serves as an excellent closer for a concert focused on contemporary spirituality or as a standalone piece for a praise service or special event.

• Singing in contemporary harmonic language with non-functional harmony
• Text projection in SATB voicing where parts move at different rates
• Awareness of how arrangement choices support theological meaning
• Balance and blend across four equal voices in a non-operatic context