Let Me Fly

for SSAA Choir

An electrifying setting of the spiritual that blends body percussion, soulful solos, and choral virtuosity.

Excerpt (MIDI rendition):

Complete (MIDI rendition):

Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: Advanced
Language: English
Minimum Voices: 8 (optimal 12-50)

Traditional African-American spiritual
Arranged by Chappell Kingsland

Wild Beautiful Choral Series (WBCS-008). Digital download; please purchase one copy for each singer. Suitable for community and professional choirs.

Let Me Fly is a vibrant and soulful setting of the African American spiritual, with a strong sense of communal energy. The piece draws singers into an embodied performance style, with stomping, clapping, and snapping woven into the musical fabric. These physical elements are not just decorative—they drive the groove and connect the ensemble to the spiritual’s roots. Individual voices from the group shine in brief solo moments, giving each performance its own unique character.

Musically, the arrangement stretches beyond familiar boundaries, blending rich chromatic harmonies with moments of bright, open resonance. Lively sections burst with rhythmic vitality, while vivid word painting brings the text to life—the feathery texture of the first choral section, the rumbling ascent of the chariot. The work builds to a dazzling climax in seven-part harmony, creating a sense of expansion that mirrors the spiritual’s message of transcendence. Challenging yet exhilarating, Let Me Fly invites singers and listeners alike into a soundworld that reaches beyond the earthbound, capturing a spirit of exuberance and freedom.

Premiere: 5/16/26 – Denver, Colorado
Safonia conducted by Christa Fredrickson

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