How Do I Love Thee?

Joshua

Stacey is known for his dynamic and expressive arrangements of spirituals, and his setting of Joshua proves why. He preserves the traditional spiritual while bringing in fresh and creative changes that lift it to new heights. As you would hope, the walls of Jericho do come down, and the endings shines in spirit and victory.

Out of the Deep I Have Called unto Thee

Combining Psalm 130 and 139, along with a text by Isaac Watts, teacher and composer Robert H. Young gives us another of his a cappella treats. His contemporary madrigal style that incorporates a harmonic romanticism is bestparalleled with a fine dessert. Rich in texture, his writing is so well-crafted, church choirs enjoy singing his work as do fine college ensembles.

Du Dob Dob

A Lithuanian sutartine is the basis of this creative arrangement selected for the Bruce Rogers series. Beginning with foot stomps and hand claps, an energy is established immediately. The tune is an enchanting folk song introduced by the altos. The story is really a question - do you love me? Piano and percussion play a light but effective role. The piece grabs your attention and holds it magically to the very end.

Divi Sirmi Kumelini

This traditional Latvian a cappella selection appears to be all about horses--horses eager to run--and run they do! However, it is really a mythological song about heavenly affairs and two grey steeds with their golden saddles and silver harnesses. An occasional 7/8 measure keeps us on our toes, as a variety of percussion instruments add to the excitement. A pedal-tone drone, moving from part to part, keeps the energy high and the pitch in check.

Let the Church Roll On

Want to pep up a worship service, or rouse the audience with a super encore? This is the piece to do it. There's some fun levity in this good ol' spiritual, especially the part about the choir singer. You'll have to see the song to know what that's about. Best of all, this arrangement has all of Stacey's stylin' but it's easy, almost all 4-part SATB (only a little soprano divis at the end). For church and school, high school ages and up, easy to medium.