Sweet Honey in the Rock's musical sound has been described in High Fidelity magazine as “breathtaking excursions into harmony singing” and in Down Beat as “neck-hair raising”. This six-memberAfrican-American a cappella women's group has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. This wonderful collection compiled and edited by Ysaye M. Barnwell features three original compositions and one traditional song arrangement byeach of the five singing members. The songs are presented in choral score for easy use by vocal ensembles. Also includes a moving foreword by Harry Belafonte an introduction by Horace Clarence Boyer the group's“Her-story ” a discography with album covers photos and extensive composer's and performance notes. Available: SATB divisi a cappella. Also available: “Singing in the African-American Tradition” taughtby Ysaye M. Barnwell with George Brandon.

This African American spiritual is a song of celebration anticipation freedom and hope. With references to the new Jerusalem as described by John the Revelator in the New Testament African American slaves could look forward to a heavenly landwhere they would no longer be bound by the bonds of servitude. Rhythmic and energized vocal lines are layered over the pulsing accompaniment for an excellent choral showcase.

Phil Kern has used his superb arranging skills in this popular and moving African-American spiritual. The Percussion a vital part of the accompaniment joins an energetic Piano to create and support a wide range of vocal dynamics. The ending a cappella chord is stunning as it caps off this outstanding Choral work. This piece is for SATB Choir and Percussion (a Shaker and three Hand Drums) with Piano accompaniment.

Oh watch the stars. for SATB (with divisions) and piano or orchestra This is a beautiful, sensitive arrangement of the African-American spiritual and folk hymn Oh, watch the stars. The text reflects on the beauty of creation, and alternative versesby David Warner celebrating Christ's birth have been included for performance during the Christmas season.

Medley in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-This moving work was commissioned by the Choral Arts Society of Washington in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It was described by The Washington Post as a speaker's narration of the slain African American leader's accomplishments with a galvanizing chorus of pungent syncopations and emotional turbulence - of both the composer's own invention and assimilated spirituals.

With a driving gospel beat unison lines close parallel harmonies and syncopated rhythms this contemporary original work is richly rooted in the African-American gospel tradition. An excellent selection for high school andfestival choirs!Available separately: SATB and SSAA. Approx. Performance Time: 3:10.

Commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for their 2012 convention here is the first major work from the pen of Rosephanye Powell. With text from the Book of Jeremiah the four movements follow the prophet's feelings of abandonment and redemption by God. Powell combines this ancient text with music that draws simultaneously from the African American musical heritage as well as the classical music traditions.

from Gospel Mass-(from Gospel Mass). From Robert Ray's Gospel Mass the Credo text is surrounded with the joyous styles of contemporary African-American music. Available: SATB.

This exciting setting of the African-American spiritual is inspiring. Keep your hand on that plow - hold on! Performance Time: Approx. 2:30. Available separately: SATB and SSAA/SSAA a cappella.

Hear Me-Composer Jim Papoulis has created an energetic and uplifting work that fuses the rhythms from African American and Latin cultures and uses a text primarily in Swahili interspersed with phrases in Spanish. Supported by shaker Djembe and agogo bell the middle section has the feel of a real celebration with layers of spoken word that lead us to the understanding: ?listen hear stand strong.?

Based on a Traditional Spiritual and arranged by Rolla A. Dilworth on commission from the Jubilate Children's Choir of the North Shore. Like a lot of African-American spirituals there is a stong emphasis on rhythmic style and a powerful use of harmony to give the song weight. Also available for SATB SAB SSA and 2-Part.

Set of parts for John Rutter's lively and joyful arrangement of this popular Christmas-themed African-American spiritual. This set includes the following String parts: 4 x vln I 4 x vln II 3 x vla 2 x vc 1 x db.

James Pethel takes one of the arrangements from his bestselling piano collection African American Spirituals and lets the choir in on the fun. The cheerful swing tempo of this piece captures a spirit of confidence and unbounded joy. Don't miss this one!