These two harp and choir arrangements are based on Sylvia Woods' haunting Spiritual Medley harp solo which blends two beautiful American spirituals about going "home" to heaven: Motherless Child (also often titled Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child) and Wayfaring Stranger.
Sylvia has created two choir arrangements: one for SSAA women's choir, and another for SATB mixed voice choir.
The music is in the key of E minor (1 sharp). The harp part is exactly the same as the harp solo version of this medley, and can be played by advanced beginner to intermediate harp players on either a lever or a pedal harp. There are no lever or pedal changes required in the music. The lowest harp string needed is the E, almost 2 octaves below middle C.
Harp players who have already learned the solo version of this medley from sheet music or PDF can use their solo music. They will just need to add the rehearsal measure numbers by hand.
This music is sold as a PDF download only. The $25 license fee gives the downloader full permission to print as many copies as needed for ONE CHOIR. Please purchase additional licenses if the music will be used by more than one choir.
Sylvia Woods arranged this music for the Crescenta Valley Alumni Chorale. Shirley Nute was the director of the choral program at Crescenta Valley High School from 1960 through 1998. After she retired, she created a choir of alumni from her many years of teaching at CV. The Alumni Chorale rehearses weekly, and gives concerts at retirement homes at Christmastime and in the spring.
Sylvia Woods was one of the piano accompanists for Shirley's high school choir when she was in school. She now sings as a member of the Alumni Chorale, and often accompanies some of the songs on the harp.
The video below is the SATB version from a live Crescenta Valley High School Alumni Chorale concert at a retirement home in June 2012. The SSAA version is very similar.