Choral Choir (TTBB) - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1256812
Composed by William H. Walter. Arranged by Tuaimanu B. Petaia. A Cappella,Religious,Sacred,Spiritual,Traditional. Octavo. 9 pages. Tuaimanu Byron Petaia #850197. Published by Tuaimanu Byron Petaia (A0.1256812).
I became aware of the hymn Rise Up, O Men of God! whilst playing through the hymnal used by my congregation a few years before I tried my hand at writing this arrangement in 2021. I drew part of my inspiration from a recording of the hymn made by the Tabernacle Choir, as well as from a very popular arrangement of the hymn Nearer My God to Thee by BYU Vocal Point.
I’ve always been impressed by the immense power found in the unison singing of any choir, which is why I find the opening to this hymn so compelling and captivating. There is a grand and almost orchestral quality to this hymn that I find almost impossible to replicate in an ensemble that is singing acapella, and so in a way I think it almost inevitable that this arrangement is anti-climactic. I tried my best to write in a way that I thought imitated the triumphal and regal sounds of brass instruments and the organ.
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Even so, this hymn remains one of my favorites of all time, and I hope this arrangement does it justice, especially because it is ultimately written with the express purpose encouraging the saints to have a greater love and greater sense of jubilation in praising our Lord.Â
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