Hall Johnson was a noted violinist, conductor and arranger of spirituals. The slave songs and spirituals that he heard his grandmother sing were a catalyst for him founding the Hall Johnson Choir in 1925. Here are 7 of his beautiful a cappella arrangements.

Songlist: Fix me, Jesus, Oh, Freedom!, I've Been Buked, I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray, When I Was Sinkin' Down, Ain't Got Time To Die, Elijah Rock

SATB songbook including many of this talented composer's spirituals plus a biography, photos and a list of published works.

Songlist: Elijah Rock, Let The Church Roll On, Angels Rolled De Stone Away, Poor Man Lazrus, Don't Be Weary Traveller, Great God A'Mighty, Amen, (Glossy book includes photos and bio)

With a foreward by Andre Thomas, this collection of Moses Hogan spiritual arrangements is a welcome addition to any director's library and is a fitting tribute to to this great American composer and conductor. Includes: Ain't That Good News, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Ezekiel Saw the Wheel, I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray, Joshua (Fit the Battle of Jericho), My Soul's Been Anchored in De Lord, Ride the Chariot, This Little Light of Mine, We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace and 26 more.

Songlist: Abide With Me, Ain't That Good News, The Battle of Jericho, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Do Lord, Remember Me, Down By the Riverside, Elijah Rock, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, God's Gonna Set This World on Fire, Good News, the Chariot's Comin', Great Day, Hear My Prayer, I Can Tell the World, I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray, I Got a Robe, I Know the Lord's Laid His Hands on Me, I Stood on the River of Jordan, I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, I Want to Be Ready, I Want to Thank You, Lord, I'm Gonna Sing 'til the Spirit Moves in My Heart, Jesus Lay Your Head in the Window, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Lord, I Want To Be A Christian, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Oh Mary, Don't You Weep Don't You Mourn, Ride the Chariot, Standing in the Need of Prayer, Steal Away, and more

Moses Hogan's contemporary settings of spirituals, original compositions, and other works have been enthusiastically accepted by audiences around the globe and have become staples in the repertoires of high school, college, church, community and professional choirs everywhere. Here is a taste of some of his best work.

Songlist: The Battle of Jericho, Elijah Rock, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, God's Gonna Set This World on Fire, I Want To Thank You, Lord, I'm Gonna Sing 'Til The Spirit Moves In My Heart, Old Time Religion

Choir directors will be delighted with Voiceworks, a superb resource for leaders of choral groups aged 11 to 14 ... This handbook covers all the areas a leader needs to know about. A detailed introduction is followed by sections on how to warm up the voice and rehearse. The section on boys' changing voices is particularly useful. The undoubted triumph of the publication is the very approachable material: 60 songs, from unison to four-part harmony.

Songlist: Abeeyo, Adio mama, Allunde, Amazing grace, Amen siakudumisa, Away in a manger, Azikatale, Baby one, Certainly, Lord, Chan mali chan, Da doo ron ron, Didn't my Lord deliver Danuel?, Doubletalk, Drumkit, Drunken sailor, Echo, Elijah Rock, Father, father goodbye, Gaudete, Glowing candle light, Good news!, Green trees, rocky road, Halle halle, halle, Hear the wind, Hepa hepa nay nay, Hey ungua, Hill an' gully rider, I'll fly away, In the bleak midwinter, John Kanaka, and more

Volume III in the popular A Cappella! series features nine concert and festival selections for young and developing SSA choirs from creative writers Amy F. Bernon, Victor C. Johnson and Ruth Elaine Schram. The Choral Edition, ideal for use as a judge's copy or for your singers. Comprised of one spiritual arrangement, three folk song arrangements and five original selections in a variety of styles, this collection is an exceptional value and a great resource for your music library.

Songlist: Lift Your Voice in Joyful Song!, Skye Boat Song, Kol Dodi, Sanctus, Elijah Rock, The Full Heart, A Couple Old Men, Said the Rain, Miserere Nobis

There are almost a hundred years between the dates of birth of Charles Ives, 1874, and Eric Whitacre, born 1970, the youngest composer in this Kaleidoscope of American choral music. If someone takes a look at the standard works in music literature, there is hardly any American choral music to be found. The American works that can be perceived as approaching the traditions of western music do not appear to interest the specialist world in Europe. The story in concert halls and churches, as well as in recording studios, is quite different, however. Through the founding of many choirs, gospels and spirituals are more popular than ever and, on the programs of classical a cappella choirs, the works of Morten Lauridsen or Samuel Barber have already become classics. The Amadeus Choir is an ensemble of some 50 singers and was founded by Karl-Friedrich Beringer, conductor of the Windsbacher Knabenchor since 1978.

Songlist: Agnus Dei, Four Motets, Lux Aurumque, Cloudburst, Water Night, My Song In The Night, Nocturnes, The Rose, Lord God, Thy Sea Is Mighty, Crossing The Bar, The Battle Of Jericho, I'm Gonna Sing, Elijah Rock, Variations On "America"

The American Boychoir showcases its vocal versatility with world music, Americana and rare classical works.

Songlist: Dixit Dominus (Vespers), Kyrie Eleison (Missa St. Leopoldi), Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Missa St. Leopoldi), When Children Sing, O Sing Joyfully (Psalm 81 vv. 1-4), Oh, Had I Jubal's Lyre (Joshua), Hosanna to the Son of David, Hej, Igazitsad!, Fyer, Fyer!, The Willow Song, Still Wie Die Nacht (Calm as the Night), Niska Banja, Alister Mcalpine's Lament, The Paint Box, Four African Songs: Tshotsholoza / Siyahamba / Sivela / Farewell Song, Orange Colored Sky, George Gershwin Medley, Wade in the Water, Elijah Rock, When the Saints Go Marching In, America, The Beautiful

Founded by Everett McCorvey in 1995, the 32-strong, mixed-voice American Spiritual Ensemble has toured Italy, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Spain and Japan, and has sung in the Metropolitan Opera, NYC Opera and Houston Grand Opera, among many other venues. All the members are soloists in their own right, and the ensemble thrills audiences with their dynamic renditions of classic spirituals, jazz and Broadway selections. "Lily of the Valley" is a dynamic, generous collection of 19 spirituals, some favorites are "You Must Have That True Religion" (which segues into "Gimme That Old Time Religion"), "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel," the title tune, "I Want To Be Ready," "Fix Me Jesus," "My Lord, What A Mourning," "Ride Up In The Chariot," "Scandalize My Name," "Done Found My Lost Sheep," "Watch and Pray" and "Come Down Angels." Some of these songs are new to us, others are old favorites, but all of them are stunningly powerful and lovely. There is some piano and light drum percussion. Don't miss this wonderful CD by one of the finest spiritual ensembles in the world!

Songlist: You Must Have That True Religion, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, The Lily of the Valley, I Want To Be Ready, Fix me, Jesus, Elijah Rock, Daniel, Daniel, the Servant of the Lord, My Lord, What a Mourning, I Thank You Jesus, Is There Anybody Here?, Ride Up In the Chariot, Ride On King Jesus, Done Found My Lost Sheep, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Scandalize My Name, Watch and Pray, 'Roun' About de Mountain, Ride up in the Chariot, Come Down Angels

Brazeal Dennard Chorale : Remembering, Discovering, Preserving   

The story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers is one of the most inspiring in all of American Music. In 1872 a history of their struggle, triumph, and music finally saw print. They sang the songs which were handed down to them by their slave ancestors. The songs expressed profound religious beliefs, an unshakable faith, relief from the suffering of slavery, and the optimism for a better world to come. In truth they were a major contributing tributary to the musical stream which diverged into gospel and blues. This beautiful recording recreates and shares with us some of that body of work which is so important to American music. It is meant to document and present to posterity some of the most powerful music ever sung.

Songlist: Oh, That Bleeding Lamb, I'll Never Turn Back, Listen to the Lambs, In Bright Mansions Above, Is a Light Shining, Heavenly Union, An' I Cry, O Holy Lord, Ain'A That Good News, Lily of the Valley, Gonna Journey Away, Any How, There's a Lit'l Wheel, O the Rocks and the Mountains, I'm Gonna Sing the Spirit, Elijah Rock

This recording continues the intent of the Singers' two earlier CDs, "We Sing of Christ" and "Songs of the Soul," adding another dimension in expressions of love and faith for Jesus Christ in their interpretations of African-American spirituals. There are 21 classic Spirituals here, the title tune, "Were You There" (sung in concert with the BYU Concert Choir and Men's Chorus), Adolphus Hailstork's "Crucifixion," "By and By," "Ain't Got Time to Die," "See What the End Is Gonna Be" (an original by founder/conductor/arranger Ronald Staheli), Moses Hogan's "I Got a Home in-a dat Rock" "Elijah Rock," Didn't My Lord Daniel Deliver" and "The Battle of Jericho," "Shut de Do'," "Let Me Fly" and "Ain't that News." But there's not a weak cut on this recording- "I Believe" is upbeat, joyous stuff, one of our favorite recordings by a great chorus!

Songlist: I Believe This Is Jesus, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Were You There?, Crucifixion, By and By, Steal Away, Ain't Got Time To Die, See What the End Is Gonna Be, I got a Home in-a dat Rock, Shut de Do', Let me Fly, Rock-a My Soul, Witness, Black Sheep, Little Innocent Lamb, Wade in the Water, Elijah Rock, Is a Light Shinin' in the Heavens, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Ain't that News, The Battle of Jericho

"Do You Hear The People Sing" was recorded at the CCC's four and a half week tour of South Africa in the summer of 1996. The 44 choir members, of many races, perform spirituals, gospel songs, African, Columbian and Korean songs, "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, and a medley of West Side Story tunes. The excitement of these live performances shines through, as does the spirit and talent of these young voices.

Songlist: Deo Dicamus Gratias, Bells, Wanting Memories, Mamelani, Unonkal, Nodle Kangbyon, Prende la Vela, Plink, Plank, Plunk, Stomp Your Foot, Summertime, West Side Story Medley, Do You Hear the People Sing?, Elijah Rock, He Never Failed Me Yet, When the Saints Go Marching In

Cuesta College Chamber Singers : Incantations   

Songlist: Adam Lay Abounden, Go, Lovely Rose, Charm Me Asleep, Lobet den Hernn, Musica animam tangens, Mata del anima sola, Country Dances, Ave Maria, Esto les digo, Elijah Rock, O Shenandoah, Rede, Madchen, Am Gesteine Rauscht die Flut, O Die Frauen, Wie des Abends Schone Rote, Ein Kleiner, Hubscher Vogel, Wohl Schon Bewandt war es, Wenn So Lind Dein Auge Mir, Vogelein Durchrauscht die Luft, Sieh, wie is die Welle klar, Ein Dunkeler Schacht is Liebe, Nicht Wandle, Mein Licht, Es Bebet das Gestrauche, Beati quorum via, Leonardo Dreams

This Colorado-based evenly-mixed voice a cappella octet was formed in 1999, and has a varied repertoire ranging from Jazz to Pop, Classical and Gospel to Folk. "Beyond Ordinary's" 14 cuts highlight this versatility, beginning with Stefan Farrenkopf's deadpan "Easter Island Head," Jesse Harris' moody "Don't Know Why," Charles Sylvestri and Eric Whitacre's brooding , dissonant "Sleep," the nice Derric Johnson-arranged "Railroad Medley," a bluesy, rhythmic "Route 66," traditional favorites "Amazing Grace" and "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel," Greg Jasperse's ethereal "Voice Dance," Lennon/McCartney's "Lady Madonna," the Moses Hogan-arranged spiritual "Elijah Rock," and finishing strong with the traditional "All Creatures of Our God and King." DACP has three excellent recordings and years of live performances under their belts, and it shows. Sweet harmonies, solid vocal percussion, deep basslines, spirited leads-this is fun stuff from this talented octet!

Songlist: Easter Island Head, Don't Know Why, Sleep, Where the Sun Will Never Go Down, Railroad Medley, Route 66, Amazing Grace, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Voice Dance, Witness, Lady Madonna, Take On Me, Elijah Rock, All Creatures of Our God and King

The premier recording from The Denver A Cappella Project, delights with their highly eclectic style. This closely knit group sings such favorites as the sentimental "Shenandoah" arranged by James Erb, "Try to Remember," from the Fantastiks, arranged by Gene Puerling and the dazzling Ward Swingle arrangement of "Flight of the Bumblebee." This group will continue to entertain for years to come.

Songlist: I'm A Train, Waltzing Matilda, Shenandoah, Country Dances, Elijah Rock, Flight of the Bumblebee, I'll Follow the Sun, I Can See Clearly Now, I Need You, Try to Remember, I Sing, You Sing, Where the Sun Will Never Go Down, Silent Night

Trevor Payne has taken his Montreal Jubilation Choir around the world and back, literally and musically, since their first concerts after their founding in 1982. Whether performing in Africa, Europe or home in Montreal, the group has built their reputation on its innovative a cappella work, their most popular recording being 1992's "A Cappella." While selecting the music, however, Payne kept hearing instruments, a bassoon here, an African kora, even a New Orleans street band. The traditional spiritual "Zion's Walls" gets the steely counterpoint of a harpsichord, and "Great Day" picks up after church and follows the rollicking New Orleans street band home. "Mary Had a Baby" features some nice soprano sax call-and-response, and a deep, sinuous double bass adds to the cool rhythm on "Elijah Rock." The soaring vocals of "Hail Mary" are complemented by English horn and bassoon. A beautiful pair of songs from Payne's travels in Africa are happily included, the rhythmic a cappella "Nkosi Sikelel, iAfrica" and the haunting "Kwa Unyenyekevu." Our friend Kirby Shaw's finger-snapping spiritual "Plenty Good Room," and the traditionals "Fix Me" and "I'm Gonna Sing" are other favorites among these 15 tunes. A beautiful, feel-good collection from the MJGC!

Songlist: Nkosi Sikelel, iAfrica, Kwa Unyenyekevu, Ain'a That Good News, Zion's Walls, Great Day, Hail Mary, Just A Little Walk With Jesus, The Storm Is Passing Over, Elijah Rock, Plenty Good Room, Fix Me, Mary Had A Baby, Geographical Fugue For Speaking Chorus, I'm Gonna Sing, Sonata No. 18, Opus 13 "Pathetique" Second Movement; Adagio Cantabile

This is a double CD featuring 39 stirring arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals by renowned pianist, conductor and arranger Moses Hogan, a leading force in preserving and promoting this incredible music. Picking our favorites is no easy task-all the cuts are beautifully and uniquely arranged, and performed with spirit and style: "Plenty Good Room," "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep, Don't You Mourn," "No Hidin' Place," "Walk Together Children," "The Lily of the Valley," "Any How," "The Battle of Jericho," "Wade In The Water," "The Chariot's Comin'," "Great Day," "Elijah Rock," "Who Built The Ark," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Jesus Lay Your Head In the Window," "Go Down Moses" and "His Light Still Shines." A brilliant, moving collection!

Songlist: Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Plenty Good Room, Oh Mary Don't You Weep, Don't You Mourn, Do, Lord, Remember Me, No Hidin' Place, Surely He Died On Calvary, Walk Together Children, My Lord, What a Mornin', Go, Tell it on the Mountain, The Lilly Of The Valley, Any How, Fix me, Jesus, My Good Lord's Done Been Here, The Battle Of Jericho, I'm Gonna Sing Till The Spirit Moves In My Heart, Wade In The Water, I Got A Home In-A Dat Rock, I Got A Robe, I Can Tell The World, Good News, The Charoit's Commin, Great day, Abide With Me, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Hear My Prayer, Elijah Rock, De Blin' Man Stood On De Road n' Cried, Glory, Glory, Glory To The New Born King, Ride On King Jesus, We Shall Walk Thru The Valley In Peace, and more

Pacific Mozart Ensemble : A Story Of Freedom   

The Berkeley, CA-based PME has just been getting better and more innovative since its founding 20 years ago. This rich, powerful, live collection of 23 authentic Spirituals is their 3rd winning recording in the Primarily A Cappella catalog. Some songs are recorded at the Green Room in San Francisco, and the rest at the Oakland Museum. All of our favorites are here, with fresh new arrangements: "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel," "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel," "His Name So Sweet," "Freedom Train," the heartbreaking "Steal Away," "Do Lord, Remember Me," "Elijah Rock," "The Battle of Jericho," "Amazing Grace," "Mary Had a Baby" and many others. Every song a gem, soaring solos, great music, live performance excitement-what could be better? We loved "A Story of Freedom!"

Songlist: Lord I Want To Be A Christian, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Ain't That Good News, His Name So Sweet, Freedom Train, Steal Away, Soon And Very Soon, Deep River, Do Lord Remember Me, Great Day, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Chile, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, Abide With Me, Elijah Rock, I'm Gonna Sing 'til The Spirit Moves In My Heart, The Battle Of Jericho, Down By The Riverside, Who Is Dat A Yonder, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Amazing Grace, Behold A Star, Mary Had A Baby

The organization of the St. John's Boys' choir of central Minnesota consists of several divisions, including "Stile Antico," which performs sacred music of the Renaissance," The Recorder Ensemble, The Training Choir, The Junior Varsity Choir focuses on the musical development of the boys in the 5th and 6th grades, and The Concert Choir is the principal touring division. "Clear Voices" features 15 mostly lightly accompanied, mostly sacred songs: Joseph M. Martin's "A Festive Call to Praise," Haydn's lovely "Kyrie and Gloria," di Lasso's "Hodie," Ralph Williams' "My Master Hath a Garden," "For Unto Us A Child is Born," from Handel's "Messiah," Brian Kay's "Gaudette," the spirituals "Hush, Somebody's Callin' My Name," "Great Getting' Up Mornin'," Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" and others. What's Clear? That the sweet, high voices of the boys are the perfect complement to this fine, well-chosen material.

Songlist: A Festive Call to Praise, Kyrie and Gloria, Hodie, My Master Hath a Garden, For Unto Us A Child Is Born from "Messiah", Gaudete, The Nightengale, Allez Souspirs, Hollis Berrie, Elijah Rock, Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name, Great Getting Up Morning, She Shall Have Music, O, Colored Earth, The Lord Bless You and Keep You

This CD includes highlights from the 2004 Spring Concerts, recorded live at Manchester United Methodist Church on May 16, 2004. The Artistic Director remains Barbera Berner, who took on the position in 1996. 2004 was a greatyear for the SLCC, as they performed internationally and in venues such as The White House and Carnegie Hall.

Songlist: Simple Song, Living In A Holy City, The Lake Isle Of Innisfree, All The Pretty Little Horses, Nursery Rhyme Nonsense, The Lily And The Rose, Ching A Ring Chaw, Little Bird -, I Had A Little Nut Tree, Tiritomba, The Poet Sings, Set Me As A Seal, This Is The Day, Prayer For The Earth, My Own Song, How Much Wood Would A Woodchuck Chuck, Blessing, Elijah Rock, The Passionate Shepard to His Love, Waltzing Matilda, Comino Caminante, And So It Goes, Roger Bobo Plays the Tuba, America, The Beautiful, We Gather Here Togther

The 120 men of Dallas' "America's Premier Pops Chorus," founded in 1972, have earned that title time and time again in SPEBSQSA international chorus competitions, bring us an uplifting collection of twelve timeless classics of devotion and faith, in "Your Raise Me Up," their 15th recording. VMC's glorious, rolling harmonies soar on some of our favorite inspirational songs: "You Raise Me Up," "Somewhere Medley," "Hymns of the Cross" medley, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Deep River," "It Is Well With My Soul," "He/I Believe Medley," "When You Wish Upon A Star," "The Holy City" and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Comforting words, given depth and power by one of the all time great choruses, The Vocal Majority.

Songlist: You Raise me Up, Somewhere Medley, Elijah Rock, Hymns of the Cross, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, Deep River, It Is Well With My Soul, Deep River, It Is Well With My Soul, Ezekial Saw The Wheel, He/I Believe, When You Wish Upon A Star, The Holy City, God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Vocal Spectrum are one of the most successful barbershop quartets ever! They won the 2004 International Collegiate Quartet Contest held in Louisville, KY. And in 2006 won the coveted International Barbershop Quartet Contest - becoming the first quartet in history to win all 3 possible medals (Collegiate Quartet, Men's Quartet, and Chorus Medal). Their talent shines brightly on their fifth recording and clearly demonstrates why they won so many championships!

Songlist: Zoot Suit Riot, Low Down Chariot, They Just Keep Moving the Line, It's You, Together Again, The Music of the Night, When You're Next To Me, Through the Years, Elijah Rock, Goin' Home, An American in Paris

Philip Brunelle, founder and artistic director, leads 24 mixed-voice, MN-based VocalEssence in the "Witness" concert series-this one focused on African American spirituals and gospel music. Joining them are Moore by Four, an ensemble of Minneapolis-based jazz vocalists, and several accompanists on piano, drums and bass. 16 powerful, soulful tunes here: "Witness," "Hush, Somebody's Callin' My Name," "Death Is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands On Me," the upbeat "Walk Together, Children," the powerful a cappella hymn "Were You There," the Moses Hogan-arranged "Elijah Rock," the Jester Hairston-arranged "In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin'," "Go Where I Send Thee," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and the Michael Abels-arranged title tune, "What a Mighty God." This is a wonderful collection of spirituals and Gospel tunes, authentic and sung with soul and spirit by one of the best Choruses (and jazz ensembles) on the planet. Great stuff!

Songlist: Witness (Jack Halloran), Hush! Somebody's Callin' My Name, Death Is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands on Me (arr. Andre Thomas), Walk Together, Children (arr. William Henry Smith), Were You There?, Elijah Rock, This Train (arr. Sanford Moore), Jesus, Lover of My Soul (arr. Richard Smallwood), My Lord, What a Mornin', Go Down Moses, In Dat Great Gittin' Up Mornin' (arr. Jester Hairston), Crucifixion (Adolphus Hailstork), Go Where I Send Thee (arr. Andre Thomas), Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Go, Tell It on the Mountain (arr. Sanford Moore), What A Mighty God (arr. Michael Abels)