Africa

SATB (w/soli), 4’00” (2019)

This arrangement reimagines the piece by early American composer William Billings, featured in the Sacred Harp songbook. The wide chord voicings and joyful melodies of the American classic are expanded through the use of warm harmonies, added polyphony, and short quartet and soli passages. William Billings is known as the first American choral composer and wrote such emotive works as Chester and his canon When Jesus Wept. He additionally taught in singing schools in New England throughout his life. 

Other Sacred Harp arrangements: Bound for Canaan, World Unknown, Detroit

Click here for a perusal score.