Walk TogTether, Children: SAB Choral Octavo
Traditional Spiritual / arr. Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi
Item: 00-PO-0003608
$1.90
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A walking bass line, built on the blues scale, hints at jazz in the introduction of this fantastically fun arrangement of the traditional spiritual. Each of three verses develops further as the piece grows to its exciting final chords. An acoustic or electric bass part is included in the publication.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003608
Instrumentation:
with Acoustic or Electric Bass
More about this title
About the Arranger: Tom Fettke
Tom Fettke has spent over five decades developing choral music that speaks to both churches and schools. A published composer and arranger with hundreds of works recorded, he is best known for The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, a spiritual anthem performed by thousands of choirs worldwide. His education from Oakland City College and California State University at Hayward, combined with a California Lifetime Music Credential, grounded his approach to choral writing.
Fettke's career reflects deep roots in music ministry and education. He directed choirs and served as minister of music across multiple churches for more than 30 years, supervised music instruction in the Redwood Christian School System, and taught vocal music in California public schools. As creator and Senior Editor of The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (released 1986), his work reached three million copies in church pews; he also served as Senior Editor of The Celebration Hymnal. He resides in Nashville with his wife Jan.
Why we love this
This arrangement respects the spiritual's roots while injecting genuine jazz energy through the blues-scale walking bass. The three-verse structure creates natural pacing, building momentum without overshadowing the text, and the optional acoustic or electric bass part gives you flexibility to match your ensemble's capabilities and your concert setting.
What to expect
The blues-scale bass immediately signals sophistication and groove without demanding technical complexity. The piece walks a confident line between reverence and joy, letting the spiritual's text anchor it while the jazz-inflected writing keeps the energy alive and forward-moving through each verse.
Who it's for
SAB choirs seeking accessible three-part sacred repertoire with contemporary energy. This works well for middle school and high school choirs comfortable with simple part-writing but looking for arrangements with real character, as well as church choirs wanting to refresh their spiritual offerings with modern arranging sensibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove early in rehearsal by locking the walking bass line with your bass section or bass instrument; its consistent blues-scale motion drives the entire piece.
- Shape each verse distinctly. Since the arrangement develops progressively, mark clear dynamic and articulation changes so the growth feels intentional rather than routine.
- Balance the alto and bass lines carefully in the early verses; the arrangement relies on their interplay before fuller voicing arrives.
How to use it
Program this in a mixed concert where you want to bridge traditional and contemporary styles, or pair it with other spirituals to show different arranging approaches. The manageable length and straightforward part-writing also make it ideal for building confidence in three-part mixed voicing early in the school year.
Skills your students will build
- Singing against a walking bass line and maintaining independence from accompaniment
- Blend and balance in three-part mixed voicing
- Interpretation of jazz-influenced articulation and phrasing in a choral context
- Sectional awareness and part confidence as the arrangement develops across verses