There’s a Meeting Here Tonight (SATB)

American Gospel folk singing duo Joe & Eddie (Joseph Gilbert and Eddie Brown) recorded and performed throughout the U.S. from the mid-1950s until Gilbert’s untimely passing in 1966. With sparse instrumentation meant to highlight exquisitely interwoven vocal harmonies, Joe & Eddie’s recordings of “Children, Go” and “Follow the Drinking Gourd” were in heavy rotation during long van rides on tours for the men of Cantus throughout the 2000s. Looking for a concert opener, Cantus found inspiration in Joe & Eddie’s signature song, a tent revival tune “There’s a Meeting Here Tonight.” Taking much of the unison and two-part singing from Joe & Eddie’s original recording as a guide, the group arrangement presented here focuses on letting the pace of the melody and the friendly invitation of the text shine, as opposed to a complex harmonic treatment.

The initial unison section should feel as though it blooms into full view with the addition of voice parts, and the contrast in dynamic throughout is immediately important for the feel of the piece. Even though the tune moves at a healthy clip, a certain smoothness and ease of delivery is necessary to bring the drama of the piece, found in and around unison sections, to bear. Tempo should not exceed that which a performance group can accomplish while maintaining that ease of sound and text delivery. It is recommended that a few trusted singers handle all snapping and clapping duties until the final chorus, and that each solo section be sung with full openness of sound and technique. Tenor lines moving above the staff should likewise be sung full voice, as able, and balanced equally with all parts to maintain the unanimity of melody to harmony that Joe & Eddie achieved in their original recording.

– Adam Reinwald, 2019