Praise My Soul (arr. Benjamin Tubb‑Hearne) is a bright, singable setting of John Goss’s beloved tune, originally crafted for Welwyn Garden City Brass Band during the composer’s time in the UK. Since then it’s been played around the world, recorded by Freckleton Brass Band, and broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
Clear voicing, warm harmonies and a straightforward style make this an ideal hymn‑style feature for concerts, contests and worship occasions. This is a digital, immediate‑download PDF.
$40.00
Praise My Soul (arr. Benjamin Tubb‑Hearne) is a bright, accessible brass band arrangement of John Goss’s beloved hymn tune. First written for Welwyn Garden City Brass Band when the composer was living in the UK, it has since been performed by bands around the world, recorded by Freckleton Brass Band, and broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
The arrangement keeps the tune’s natural warmth and singability while adding brass‑band colour and shape. Voices are clearly laid out, harmonies are warm without being over‑busy, and the overall style sits comfortably between traditional hymn accompaniment and a standalone concert item.
Goss’s melody is treated with care throughout, with the band supporting the tune rather than obscuring it. The scoring gives each section something meaningful to do, from lyrical cornet and horn lines to supportive low brass and tasteful percussion colour. Dynamics and phrasing are clearly marked, making it straightforward to rehearse while still allowing room for expressive playing.
Stylistically, this sits in the “classic hymn‑style brass band” tradition: reverent but not heavy, with a forward‑moving sense of line. It works well as a processional, a reflective concert piece, or a closing item that leaves the audience with a strong, familiar melody.
The arrangement assumes a standard brass band instrumentation. No unusual instruments or extended techniques are required. The main challenges are musical: good blend, controlled dynamics, and clean phrasing around the melody. The tune’s familiarity means intonation and balance will be very exposed, so it’s an excellent piece for working on ensemble sound.
Bands that have performed this arrangement report that it “sits well” under the fingers and responds quickly to rehearsal, making it a reliable choice when you need something effective without excessive preparation time.
A professional recording exists by Freckleton Brass Band, and the work has been broadcast on BBC Radio 2. While the composer’s own CD copy has gone astray, these performances attest to the arrangement’s durability and appeal across different ensembles and contexts.
As one of the composer’s earliest published brass band arrangements, Praise My Soul shows a clear, practical approach to writing for the medium: idiomatic part‑writing, sensible ranges, and a strong focus on the tune.
This is a digital, immediate‑download PDF package containing:
Whether you’re programming a themed concert, a service, or simply looking for a well‑crafted hymn‑style item that your band will enjoy and your audience will recognise, Praise My Soul offers a proven, effective option with a strong track record on stage and on air.
