Way Down in Bethlehem
by Traditional Spiritual
SA - Sheet Music

Choral SA choir and piano

SKU: CF.BL1099

Composed by Traditional Spiritual. Arranged by Kyle Pederson. Fold. Mjte. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 2:30. BriLee Music #BL1099. Published by BriLee Music (CF.BL1099).

UPC: 680160912094. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: G major. English. Traditional, adapted by Kyle Pederson.

This simple holiday tune has been arranged here by Kyle Pederson for elementary school treble voices. Students will learn and have fun with dynamic contrast, which is essential in this piece. Keeping the pianos soft will allow the fortes to really pop. The style and text of this piece is certainly set up well for some choreography as well, making for an interactive and fun performance!.
Special thanks to Kari Anderson from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN for inspiring this arrangement. I heard my four-year-old son sing Kari's delightful version of this traditional tune in his preschool Christmas concert, and this melody just wouldn't leave my head! A few weeks later, Roz Hofer, director of the Sioux Falls Children's Choir, approached me about a possible commission, and I immediately thought about fleshing this simple tune out into a full-fledged choral arrangement for elementary school treble voices. My thanks to Roz and the entire SFCC organization for bringing this piece to life! Performance notes: 1. In this style of music, do not over-pronounce the "r" in Lord (closer to Lawd than Lord). 2. Beginning in m. 44, the choir should think of this descending line as playing the role of a stand-up string bass. 3. Dynamic contrast is essential in this piece. Keeping the pianos soft will allow the fortes to really pop. 4. Consider having the choir lean forward/in on the stage whisper section beginning in m. 36 as if they are bringing the audience in on a secret they've discovered. 5. The style and text of this piece is certainly set up well for some choreography. Dancing angels, wise men giving gifts, tip-toeing around the manger, etc. But whatever you do, no jazz hands!.
Special thanks to Kari Anderson from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN for inspiring this arrangement. I heard my four-year-old son sing Kari's delightful version of this traditional tune in his preschool Christmas concert, and this melody just wouldn't leave my head!  A few weeks later, Roz Hofer, director of the Sioux Falls Children's Choir, approached me about a possible commission, and I immediately thought about fleshing this simple tune out into a full-fledged choral arrangement for elementary school treble voices. My thanks to Roz and the entire SFCC organization for bringing this piece to life!Performance notes:1. In this style of music, do not over-pronounce the "r" in Lord (closer to Lawd than Lord).2. Beginning in m. 44, the choir should think of this descending line as playing the role of a stand-up string bass.3. Dynamic contrast is essential in this piece. Keeping the pianos soft will allow the fortes to really pop.4. Consider having the choir lean forward/in on the stage whisper section beginning in m. 36 as if they are bringing the audience in on a secret  they've discovered.5. The style and text of this piece is certainly set up well for some choreography. Dancing angels, wise men giving gifts, tip-toeing around the manger, etc. But whatever you do, no jazz hands!