Gospel Hymn – Published in 1867:  

                I heard an acapella choir sing a beautiful “Down to the River” arrangement and decided to sketch it out for some of my band director friends.  I arranged it from what I remembered, hence the “liberties” taken. What I thought was cool is it gives a band director the ability to review various 16th note rhythms at a very slow tempo. There are not too many chorales written where you can reinforce 16th note counting. I decided to write out all four parts for each instrument. If you ever wish to break down any individual part, you can have the entire class play it. I personally like having 100% of the students playing all the time. It offers additional challenges such as the instrument ranges played and different potential instrument combinations to balance. If you want to keep all the instrument parts on one page only, play the first half, stopping at the fermata at bar #9. I suggest you start out having the entire ensemble all play part one first to benefit from the 16th note counting review. After that, assign the four chorale parts to whichever instruments you wish.  I arranged the chorale at a “the end of the year” middle school band level. There are “split” octaves, where the director can choose which note range they feel will be more comfortable for their students.  

               The second half offers additional challenges, such as a slower tempo and more difficult phrasing. Also, a big piano to a forte crescendo, followed by a “subito-piano,” which gives your ensemble the opportunity to work on unison breathing and push their dynamic “extremes” to the max.  Directors can also ask their students to ignore dynamic markings and cue all tempos and volume changes, allowing your band to work more on following their director’s cues.  

               Below is a URL link to a “you-tube” video performed by Alison Krause and “Union Station,” if you have not heard it yet.  ENJOY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swOLCLrqBn8

Sincerely

Rich Moon