Song List: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Amazing Grace America, the Beautiful Ave Maria Away in a Manger Be Still, My Soul Be Thou My Vision Children of the Heavenly Father Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Come, Thou Almighty King Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Crown Him with Many Crowns Down to the River to Pray Every Time I Feel the Spirit Fairest Lord Jesus Faith of Our Fathers For All the Saints For the Beauty of the Earth Good King Wenceslas Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken Great Is Thy Faithfulness He's Got the Whole World in His Hands His Eye Is on the Sparrow How Great Thou Art I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley Joy to the World! Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Let All Things Now Living Let Us Break Bread Together Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ Lift High the Cross Lord of the Dance Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Morning Has Broken My Country, 'Tis of Thee My Jesus, I Love Thee Nearer, My God, to Thee O Little Town of Bethlehem O Perfect Love O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Peace Like a River Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Put Peace into Each Other's hands Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us Silent Night Softly and Tenderly Sweet Hour of Prayer Swing Low, Sweet Chariot The Gift of Love The Solid Rock To God Be the Glory We Gather Together Were You There We Shall Overcome We Three Kings What Child Is This What a Friend We Have in Jesus What Wondrous Love Is This When the Saints Go Marching In

"Down to the River to Pray" (also known as "Down in the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," and "The Good Old Way") is a 19th-century American folk hymn variously attributed as an African-American spiritual/slave song, Appalachian song, and gospel song. In recent years, it was popularized in the 2000 motion picture, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," and by folk/bluegrass performer Alison Kraus.

In this arrangement, the first three presentations, or verses, of the pentatonic tune employ simple, traditional harmony and limited instrumentation, evoking the simplicity of folk-singing style. Verse 4 is characterized by a direct key change up a fourth (from concert Eb to Ab) and more active harmonies. After a short, two-bar modulation up one more step to Bb major, the final verse begins with rising parallel harmonies under the melody in trumpet 1, and continues with more contemporary harmonies. The piece concludes with a simple "Amen"-like ending.

©2019 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

A river finds its ripples: the traditional gospel tune "Down to the River to Pray" flows into the surging waters of rhythm and blues. A duet for viola and piano, this arrangement is especially effective as a prelude, postlude or special music for traditional church services and other worship events, including youth rallies. Also recommended for recitals, concerts and anywhere upbeat, joyful music is played. Key: D major. 9 pages of music (that includes a separate two-page pullout viola part).