Octavo of the Month (November 2007)
Mike Walag, ICDA High School R&S Chair
Jordan's Angels
Rollo Dilworth
Hal Leonard
08744628
SATB, piano
3’30”
Moderate difficulty
Rollo Dilworth’s creation incorporating the traditional spiritual “All Night, All Day” is another fine arrangement in the African-American gospel style from this young composer. The performance notes on the inside cover explain the symbolism of water (safety, peace, freedom) in spirituals. The “testifying” style text tells the story of a child being comforted by a vision of a “band of angels”.
Mr. Dilworth uses several compositional techniques common to the African-American gospel tradition, including call and response patterns, layering effects, piano accompaniment with strong octave doubling of the bass in the left hand, a lilting 6/8 meter, etc.
There are many strong educational opportunities with this piece (music, history, sociology) as well as a great performance piece in a popular choral tradition unique to our country.