Wade in the Water: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
Item: 00-PO-0005280
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Ruth Elaine Schram has created another delightful setting of a well-known spiritual. Choirs of all ages will welcome this exceptional rendition. It's easy to sing, yet sounds rich and full!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Studio PR Catalog
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005280
More about this title
About the Arranger: Ruth Elaine Schram
Ruth Elaine Schram has built a distinguished career arranging spiritual and choral music for singers at every developmental level. Her arrangements prioritize accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, making her work a fixture in school choirs, community ensembles, and church music programs across North America.
Schram's gift lies in her ability to honor the emotional core of a spiritual while crafting parts that sit comfortably in singers' voices. Her arrangements appear regularly in educational catalogs and have become trusted choices for directors seeking material that energizes rehearsals and inspires performances.
Why we love this
Schram's arrangement strips away unnecessary complexity while maintaining the soulfulness that makes this spiritual endure. The three-part writing keeps rehearsal time focused and ensures that singers hear themselves succeed, which matters enormously when programming spirituals that deserve reverence and care.
What to expect
The spiritual radiates quiet contemplation and gentle strength. Schram's voicing creates warmth and depth, allowing the familiar melody to breathe while the supporting parts weave together with clarity. Singing this feels both accessible and meaningful.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits middle and high school choirs, community choruses, and church music programs seeking a spiritual that sounds polished without demanding extensive rehearsal time. Singers of mixed abilities will find their part singable and musically satisfying.
How to get the most out of it
- Attend to the lyrical contour in each line rather than pushing for volume; the richness comes from phrase shaping and sustained tone quality, not force.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish style and tempo in early rehearsals, then gradually shift to singing with piano or a cappella so singers internalize the phrasing.
- Balance the three parts by asking yourself which voice carries the primary melodic idea in each phrase, then ensure the other parts support without overwhelming.
How to use it
Pair this with other spirituals for a thematic concert segment, or program it alongside contrasting styles (art song, contemporary choral) to showcase your ensemble's range. Its moderate length and accessible sound also make it an excellent choice for community service events or interfaith celebrations.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing independent vocal lines in three-part texture
- Maintaining legit, sustained tone in a spiritual idiom
- Responding to text-based phrasing and dynamic shape