Composer

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William Levi Dawson

Average_duration

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1:51

"Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit" is a traditional African American spiritual that has been arranged and adapted by many composers over the years. One of the most famous arrangements is by William Levi Dawson, an African American composer and conductor who was born in 1899 in Anniston, Alabama. Dawson's arrangement of "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit" was composed in the 1930s and premiered in 1939 by the Tuskegee Institute Choir, which Dawson directed at the time. The piece is scored for SATB choir and piano, and features a lively and rhythmic accompaniment that reflects the joyful and exuberant spirit of the text. The arrangement is divided into three movements, each of which features a different treatment of the melody and text. The first movement is a lively and syncopated setting of the opening lines, "Ev'ry time I feel the spirit / Movin' in my heart, I will pray." The choir sings in unison for much of this section, with occasional harmonies and rhythmic interjections from the piano. The second movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the text, "There's a star up in the sky / Shinin' in the name of the Lord." The choir sings in four-part harmony, with a gentle and flowing accompaniment from the piano. This section provides a moment of contrast and reflection before the final movement. The third movement returns to the lively and rhythmic style of the opening, with the choir singing in harmony and the piano providing a driving and energetic accompaniment. The text of this section is a repetition of the opening lines, with the addition of a call-and-response section between the choir and piano. Overall, Dawson's arrangement of "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit" is a vibrant and joyful celebration of the African American spiritual tradition. Its lively rhythms, rich harmonies, and powerful text make it a beloved and enduring piece of choral music.

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