SKU: A0.1200186

Were You There, an African-American Spiritual arranged for Brass Quintet by Jerald Juhnke first appeared in 1899, likely composed by slaves. The text refers to the crucifixion scene and the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, but also has hidden meanings connecting his suffering with the suffering of the black slaves.

This gorgeous arrangement by Jerold Juhnke of about 3.5 minutes is for standard brass quintet of 2 Trumpets in B-flat, Horn in F, Trombone and Tuba and is appropriate for moderately advanced performers.

SKU: A0.1401574

Kum ba yah (Come by here) is an African American spiritual song of disputed origin, but known to be sung in the Gullah culture of the islands off South Carolina and Georgia, with ties to enslaved Central Africans. The song is thought to have spread from the islands to other Southern states and the North, as well as other places in the world. The first known recording, of someone known only as H. Wylie, who sang in the Gullah dialect, was recorded by folklorist Robert Winslow Gordon in 1926. It later became a standard campfire song in Scouting and summer camps and enjoyed broader popularity during the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s.

The song was originally an appeal to God to come and help those in need. In American politics, the song would later become part of a phrase (sing Kumbaya) denoting unrealistic, excessively optimistic compromises.

Here is a brilliant arrangement by S Smith-Masters orchestrated for a brass quintet and functional percussion.