Until Then (arr. Mary McDonald): SATB Choral Octavo

Warm and grounded. The harmonic language carries spiritual sincerity without pretense, and the SATB writing creates moments of genuine four-part independence that let the text land with force.

Choirs seeking contemporary sacred repertoire with depth. This works for high school ensembles with some concert experience and strong church or community choirs wanting material that sits comfortably in the gospel tradition.

• Establish the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsals; gospel swing lives in the spaces between written and felt rhythm, and your singers need to own that feel before adding harmonic complexity.
• Balance the lower voices so alto and tenor lines cut through clearly. This arrangement gives them substantial melodic material that matters to the overall sound.
• Record a full run-through and listen as an ensemble. Hearing yourselves reveals blend issues and intonation drift that single-section rehearsals can mask.

Pair this with other gospel or spirituals for a thematic concert set, or use it as an accessible encore that shifts the emotional register of a mixed concert. Its length makes it ideal for mid-program placement where you can build momentum.

• Gospel swing interpretation and rhythmic feel
• Singing sustained harmonic lines with independence
• Blend and balance in four-part writing
• Text expression within a sacred idiom