SKU: CF.CM9741

ISBN 9781491161210. UPC: 680160919802. Key: Bb major. English. African American Spiritual.

In 1961, a diverse group of student activists organized a movement called Freedom Riders to challenge racial segregation in Southern states. Their strategy was to ride busses into cities with segregation laws and deliberately break them. For instance, white students would use colored only restrooms, while black students would sit at white only food counters. The hope was that, when confronted by police, the federal government would be forced to step in and defend the students' constitutional rights. On many occasions, these demonstrations were met with violent behavior from locals, including beatings and a firebombing. Ultimately, these Freedom Riders helped lead to the abolishment of segregation by bringing national attention to the injustices of segregation. While touring, the Freedom Riders would collectively perform songs with messages about freedom and justice. One participant, African -American preacher Rev. Robert Wesby, reimagined the lyrics of the hymn Woke Up this Mornin' by replacing the name Jesus with freedom in each refrain. This version of the hymn went on to become a powerful symbol of the American civil rights movement.
In 1961, a diverse group of student activists organized a movement called “Freedom Riders” to challenge racial segregation in Southern states. Their strategy was to ride busses into cities with segregation laws and deliberately break them. For instance, white students would use “colored only” restrooms, while black students would sit at “white only” food counters. The hope was that, when confronted by police, the federal government would be forced to step in and defend the students' constitutional rights. On many occasions, these demonstrations were met with violent behavior from locals, including beatings and a firebombing. Ultimately, these “Freedom Riders” helped lead to the abolishment of segregation by bringing national attention to the injustices of segregation.While touring, the Freedom Riders would collectively perform songs with messages about freedom and justice. One participant, African -American preacher Rev. Robert Wesby, reimagined the lyrics of the hymn “Woke Up this Mornin’” by replacing the name “Jesus” with “freedom” in each refrain. This version of the hymn went on to become a powerful symbol of the American civil rights movement.

SKU: GI.G-8644

UPC: 785147864431. English.

Welcome to the revival! Come on in and leave your troubles at the door. This exciting collection from a true talent and vibrant voice in sacred music takes you to church. The eclectic fusion of styles like gospel, R & B, jazz, and traditional organ-based hymnody ensures that there is something in this collection to please absolutely everyone.  “Lord, Make Me an Instrument,” a setting of the classic Prayer of St. Francis text, builds to a powerful and stirring climax. “Worthy God” is a moving declaration of faith and devotion, and the infectious and inspiring title track, “Building Up the Kingdom,” encourages God’s call to action. Rhythmic drive, a singable melody, and an impassioned text will make “Daily Bread” a congregation favorite that begs to be sung. The songs of Building Up the Kingdom are sure to ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all the assembled, and their raised voices will set the rafters ablaze. Contents: Give the Lord Glory and Honor, Remember Your Mercies, Blessed, Worthy God, Mary's Song (The Annunciation), Worship the Newborn King, Hail, Queen of Heaven, Getting Ready, Daily Bread, The Christ in Me, Building Up the Kingdom, Lord, Make Me an Instrument, Anchored in de Lord.

SKU: CF.CAS160

ISBN 9781491165058. UPC: 680160923960. Key: C major.

The story of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is of a rising star composer, one with a significant gift for melody and a simple lyricism, who embraced the previously unexplored song and dance forms from his father’s native west Africa and incorporated them into his own very European art music. Coleridge-Taylor began playing the violin at age five and by age fifteen wasadmitted to London’s Royal College of Music, where he studied both violin and composition and composed his first works. The simply titled Melody is taken from Three Short Pieces for Organ, a set of pieces originally published in Novello’s Album for the Organ, No. 3 (1898). While certainly typical of the late nineteenth century, many of Coleridge-Taylor's creations display inspiration by African musical elements much like spirituals inspired Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony.

SKU: AP.48428

UPC: 038081552514. English. Traditional Spiritual.

The familiar African-American spiritual in a fresh rhythmic setting! Opening with just a shaker and unison voices, a tapestry of percussion ostinatos and traditional choral harmony gradually unfolds before returning back to the clean lines of the beginning. Well-planned key changes ensure successful a cappella modulations for less-experienced groups. Three notated percussion parts are included in the publication.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: AP.49068

ISBN 9781470647827. UPC: 038081567044. English.

This multi-level piece includes a full set of parts for grade 2 as well as a full set for grade 3 ensembles. Mix and match the parts as you need---perfect for mixed-ability ensembles!

String Thang by Mark Wood is based on the twelve-bar blues. The blues has deep roots in American history, developed out of the work songs and chants of African-American slaves. The Great Migration of the first half of the 20th century saw freed slaves and their descendants move to northern and eastern parts of the U.S., taking their music with them. The blues took on different forms; in turn it helped to create rock, jazz, hip-hop, and other popular genres. A twelve-bar blues uses a repeating chord progression which allows musicians to express themselves creatively with each recurrence. If anything defines the blues, it is the use of blue notes---pitches that don't usually belong in a given key---and elements of improvisation. String Thang uses both blue notes in the main tune and the solo violin's part, as well as improvisational principles in the solo. For string orchestra with optional rock rhythm section parts. (2:45)

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SKU: HL.44013426

UPC: 888680926120.

After he had survived a heavy sea storm, John Newton (1725-1807), captain of a slave ship, became a priest and from then on he fought for the abolition of slavery. During his tenure he wrote several hymns, of which Amazing Grace certainly is the best known. The melody assumedly derives from a song by the African slaves. Takashi Hoshide has written a compelling arrangement of this beautiful melody.

SKU: AP.50642

ISBN 9781470652517. UPC: 038081574967. English.

String Thang by Mark Wood is based on the twelve-bar blues. The blues has deep roots in American history, developed out of the work songs and chants of African-American slaves. The Great Migration of the first half of the 20th century saw freed slaves and their descendants move to northern and eastern parts of the U.S., taking their music with them. The blues took on different forms; in turn it helped to create rock, jazz, hip-hop, and other popular genres. A twelve-bar blues uses a repeating chord progression which allows musicians to express themselves creatively with each recurrence. If anything defines the blues, it is the use of blue notes---pitches that don't usually belong in a given key---and elements of improvisation.

SKU: GI.G-8685

UPC: 785147868507. English. Text Source: African American spiritual.

This new arrangement from Brandon Waddles has a rhythmic lilt, common to many traditional spirituals, combined with the “sound” that developed into the chord structure of gospel song during the 1960s. A piano reduction is provided for rehearsal.