Walk Dem Bones!: 3-Part (any combination) Choral Octavo
Arr. Saundra B. Musser
Item: 00-PO-0002486
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This fun piece is ideal for young choirs. It combines Dry Bones and Ezekiel Saw the Wheel. The 'Dry Bones' section includes cowbell, tambourine and virtually any other rhythm instrument you can find. It's a multi-purpose piece and can be performed by any combination of 3-part voices.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0002486
More about this title
Why we love this
Musser's pairing of these two spiritual classics gives you a piece that moves naturally between reflective and energetic moments without feeling stitched together. The rhythm instrument integration transforms the 'Dry Bones' section into a genuine ensemble experience rather than a passive listening moment, and the flexible voicing means you can cast it based on who shows up on rehearsal day.
What to expect
Playful and grounded at once. The 'Dry Bones' section bounces with humor and physical energy while 'Ezekiel Saw the Wheel' brings reverent weight. The arrangement honors the spiritual roots of both songs while inviting singers to have genuine fun with rhythm and movement.
Who it's for
Young choirs ready to tackle multipart singing with rhythmic independence and comfortable performing with unpitched percussion. The flexible voicing works for treble-dominated ensembles, mixed groups, or any combination where your singers outnumber your parts.
How to get the most out of it
- Build the rhythm section gradually during rehearsals. Start with voices only, then layer in cowbell and tambourine separately so singers aren't fighting for attention in early run-throughs.
- Assign unpitched percussion deliberately. Even singers sitting out a particular phrase can shake a tambourine, which keeps energy consistent and deepens their investment in the arrangement.
- Shape the transition between the two spirituals with a clear tempo shift or breath. The contrast between sections is one of the piece's strengths only if the audience hears the shift as intentional.
How to use it
Pair this with other spirituals in a concert celebrating African American sacred music traditions, or slot it into a pops or family concert where its accessibility and staging appeal shine. The 12-page length and rhythmic focus make it a solid anchor for an all-ages concert without overshadowing lighter repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Singing independent melodic lines in three-part texture while maintaining harmonic blend
- Coordinating vocal rhythm against ensemble percussion patterns
- Performing unpitched percussion independently (cowbell, tambourine)
- Building ensemble cohesion across voice parts with different rhythmic material
- Interpreting two distinct musical narratives within one performance