Popularized by recording artists such as Mariah Carey and Gladys Knight, the traditional spiritual, “Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child,” has become a Christmas favorite. This gospel arrangement by Mary McDonald opens with the slow, “bluesy” sounds of another favorite, “Mary Had a Baby,” before shifting gears into the faster, more driving celebration of the second spiritual. It offers a stylized optional brass and rhythm score by Stan Pethel that will have singers and listeners alike singing, “What a wonderful Child!”

Voicing: SAB,Pno