Rhapsody of Spirituals

Spirituals, which are an important part of America’s musical heritage, fall under the classification of Christian songs. European hymns (melody and harmony) combined with African musical elements (rhythm, call and response), created a genre that first emerged in the deep south before the Civil War. Rhapsody of Spirituals for flute choir is a medley that includes “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit”, “Do Lord/Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”. The call and response element is prevalent throughout the arrangement: solos between different sections of the choir demonstrate this trait.