Zion’s Walls - Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland’s "Zion’s Walls" is a vibrant 1952 arrangement of a 19th-century American revivalist song by John G. McCurry, featured in his Old American Songs, Set II. Written for voice and piano (later orchestrated), it captures the energetic spirit of a religious meeting with lyrics focusing on community and devotion, famously quoted by Copland in his opera The Tender Land.

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The Old Church - Stephen Paulus

"The Old Church" is a poignant choral work by American composer Stephen Paulus, originally commissioned in 2001 by the Festival Choir of Madison, Wisconsin. It serves as the final movement of his six-part choral set titled Prairie Songs. Paulus intentionally crafted the music to resemble a humble hymn that might be heard in a rural Midwestern church. It reflects on these churches as places of significant life events—baptisms, communions, and weddings—and as symbols of generations of humble, rural use.

 

John Saw Duh Numbuh - arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw

"John Saw duh Numbuh," is a classic a cappella, joyous spiritual based on John the Baptist seeing the 144,000 redeemed, as mentioned in The Book of Revelation. It often features call-and-response, a fast tempo, and intense, building dynamics suitable for a high-energy choral performance. This arrangement honors the original melody while creating complex, effective textures.

 

Cindy - arr. Harry Robert Wilson

"Cindy" is a traditional American folk tune, specifically a "frolic" or "play-party" song originating from the Southern Appalachian region. Wilson’s arrangement captures the lively, rhythmic nature of the original folk tune and is characterized by a bright, upbeat tempo that reflects the "frolic" style of dance music.

 

Abe - Paul Crabtree

“Five Romantic Miniatures” (from The Simpsons) is a choral song cycle that provides a high-art tribute to characters from the long-running animated television series. Crabtree found inspiration in The Simpsons TV program for this set using texts from the show that he describes as: “…totally serious pieces about these little characters. They’re not cartoony or cheap in any way. They’re an indepth probing of these cartoon lives. ... It is their simplicity and their profundity that drew me to these five short outbursts of affection.” In movement one, entitled “Abe,” Grandpa Simpson re-experiences teenage infatuation

 

Aura Lee - arr. Kirby Shaw

Originally composed by George R. Poulton with lyrics by W.W. Fosdick, "Aura Lee" was a popular sentimental ballad during the American Civil War. Kirby Shaw's arrangement transforms the classic 1861 Civil War-era ballad into a lush, modern choral piece characterized by his signature jazz-influenced harmonies. It is perhaps most famous today for providing the melody to Elvis Presley's 1956 hit, "Love Me Tender."

 

Fields of Gold - arr. Roger Emerson

Originally written and composed by Sting (G.M. Sumner), this arrangement is primarily based on the achingly beautiful cover by Eva Cassidy. It translates the original's folk-pop sensibilities into a choral format, featuring delicate, arpeggiated keyboard lines and pure, simple vocal lines. The song is a sensitive reflection on love and memory, using the imagery of the "west wind" and "fields of barley" to evoke a sense of timelessness.

 

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor - arr. Roy Ringwald

"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," composed by Irving Berlin with lyrics from Emma Lazarus's poem "The New Colossus," became a choral staple largely through the 1949 arrangement by Roy Ringwald for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. The text is the final sonnet written to help fund the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. The song was originally written for Berlin's 1949 Broadway musical, Miss Liberty. During the 1950s and 60s, it was a centerpiece for patriotic ceremonies and school assemblies. Today, it remains a standard for memorial and patriotic commemorations.

 

Ching-a-Ring-Chaw - adapted by Aaron Copeland, arr. Irving Fine

"Ching-a-Ring Chaw" is a lively choral arrangement by Irving Fine, based on Aaron Copland’s solo vocal setting from his Old American Songs. Copland heavily revised the original lyrics and dialect to remove racist connotations, aiming for a diversified portrait of America without causing offense.

 

Battle Hymn of the Republic - arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

Peter J. Wilhousky’s 1944 arrangement of the Battle Hymn of the Republic is widely considered the definitive choral setting of the American patriotic classic. The arrangement is noted for its controlled intensity that builds to a powerful, resonant finale, and it is renowned for its sweeping dynamic contrasts and rich harmonic colors. The lyrics were written in November 1861 by Julia Ward Howe after visiting a Union army camp, and the melody is attributed to William Steffe, who originally composed it as a camp-meeting song around 1856 with the "Glory, Hallelujah" refrain.

 

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - Gwyneth Walker

Gwyneth Walker’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (2012) was commissioned for the 300th anniversary of Lexington, MA, and the 30th anniversary of the Lexington Pops Chorus. It sets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem to music, featuring galloping rhythms, intense storytelling, and urgent tempo variations that follow Revere from Boston to Concord. 

 

Golden Dream - arr. Don Muller

"Golden Dream" is a patriotic Disney choral piece originally composed by Bob Moline and Randy Bright for the Epcot attraction, "The American Adventure". In the attraction, it serves as the emotional peak during a film montage that highlights iconic American figures and historical moments, ranging from the arrival of the Mayflower to modern achievements. The lyrics focus on the "American Dream," themes of hope, the spirit of America, and the ongoing journey of the nation. 
 

America The Beautiful - arr. James Mulholland

Mulholland is known for his ability to capture the voice of the poet in a profound way. In this arrangement, he maintains the integrity of the beloved melody while enriching it with lush harmonies. This arrangement is characterized by its stately and inspiring tone, designed to invoke a sense of national pride and unity.