Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
@VoctaveSings Composers Jamey Ray of Voctave and Derric Johnson of the Voices of Liberty explore the patriotic and Americana a cappella sound that shaped both ensembles—perfect for America’s 250th celebration in 2026.
Hear the stories behind their "Star‑Spangled Banner" arrangements, beloved patriotic titles like "America the Beautiful" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and top‑selling folk songs including "Shenandoah"; "Old MacDonald" and "Railroad Medley."
Jamey and Derric also break down contemporary a cappella techniques—blend, voicing, diction, staggered breathing, stamina, tight harmony intonation, and even the famous E♭ blend exercise. Ideal insights for choir directors preparing 2026 patriotic programming.
@VoctaveSings
#Voctave #VoicesOfLiberty #JameyRay #DerricJohnson #ACappella #ChoralMusic
#PatrioticMusic #Americas250 #Semiquincentennial #StarSpangledBanner
#Shenandoah #ChoirDirector #VocalArranging #ContemporaryACappella
#jwpepper
Browse the America's 250th Resource Page jwpepper.com/america-250?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Choral Arrangements of The Star Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/patriotic/america-the-beautiful?productClusterIds=7021&fuzzy=0&operator=and&category-1=choral-music&facets=productClusterIds%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator%2Ccategory-1&sort=release_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Derric Johnson's The Star-Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/the-star-spangled-banner-11611487-2413135/p?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Jamey Ray's The Star-Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/the-star-spangled-banner-11348189/p?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Choral Arrangements of America the Beautiful jwpepper.com/star-spangled-banner-sheet-music?productClusterIds=1015&=&=&fuzzy=0&operator=and&category-1=choral-music&facets=productClusterIds%2C%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator%2Ccategory-1&sort=score_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop All Patriotic Choral Music jwpepper.com/choral-music/concert---festival/patriotic?category-1=choral-music&category-2=concert---festival&category-3=patriotic&fuzzy=0&operator=and&facets=category-1%2Ccategory-2%2Ccategory-3%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop All Contemporary A Cappella Music jwpepper.com/choral-music/contemporary-a-cappella?category-1=choral-music&category-2=contemporary-a-cappella&fuzzy=0&operator=and&facets=category-1%2Ccategory-2%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
0:00 Intro
1:15 Welcome Jamey and Derric - Derric’s "The Star-Spangled Banner" arrangement
5:39 Jamey’s "The Star‑Spangled Banner" and how it differs
8:54 Why we sing the national anthem
11:39 Protecting the legacy of the song
15:33 Other patriotic highlights: "Shenandoah"
20:41 Continuing with "Shenandoah"
23:08 Besides Voices of Liberty, what other arrangements do you like?
24:55 Specific techniques for larger choirs to sing "Shenandoah"
29:37 The secret to the unison sound
31:41 Knowing music theory is important for singers
33:49 The difference between vocal and rehearsal warm-ups
36:58 "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
@VoctaveSings Composers Jamey Ray of Voctave and Derric Johnson of the Voices of Liberty explore the patriotic and Americana a cappella sound that shaped both ensembles—perfect for America’s 250th celebration in 2026.
Hear the stories behind their "Star‑Spangled Banner" arrangements, beloved patriotic titles like "America the Beautiful" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and top‑selling folk songs including "Shenandoah"; "Old MacDonald" and "Railroad Medley."
Jamey and Derric also break down contemporary a cappella techniques—blend, voicing, diction, staggered breathing, stamina, tight harmony intonation, and even the famous E♭ blend exercise. Ideal insights for choir directors preparing 2026 patriotic programming.
@VoctaveSings
#Voctave #VoicesOfLiberty #JameyRay #DerricJohnson #ACappella #ChoralMusic
#PatrioticMusic #Americas250 #Semiquincentennial #StarSpangledBanner
#Shenandoah #ChoirDirector #VocalArranging #ContemporaryACappella
#jwpepper
Browse the America's 250th Resource Page jwpepper.com/america-250?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Choral Arrangements of The Star Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/patriotic/america-the-beautiful?productClusterIds=7021&fuzzy=0&operator=and&category-1=choral-music&facets=productClusterIds%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator%2Ccategory-1&sort=release_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Derric Johnson's The Star-Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/the-star-spangled-banner-11611487-2413135/p?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Jamey Ray's The Star-Spangled Banner jwpepper.com/the-star-spangled-banner-11348189/p?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop Choral Arrangements of America the Beautiful jwpepper.com/star-spangled-banner-sheet-music?productClusterIds=1015&=&=&fuzzy=0&operator=and&category-1=choral-music&facets=productClusterIds%2C%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator%2Ccategory-1&sort=score_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop All Patriotic Choral Music jwpepper.com/choral-music/concert---festival/patriotic?category-1=choral-music&category-2=concert---festival&category-3=patriotic&fuzzy=0&operator=and&facets=category-1%2Ccategory-2%2Ccategory-3%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0&updateHistory=true?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
Shop All Contemporary A Cappella Music jwpepper.com/choral-music/contemporary-a-cappella?category-1=choral-music&category-2=contemporary-a-cappella&fuzzy=0&operator=and&facets=category-1%2Ccategory-2%2Cfuzzy%2Coperator&sort=score_desc&page=0?utm_medium=social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=america250-2025&utm_content=johnson-ray-interview-patriotic-choral-contemporary-acappella
0:00 Intro
1:15 Welcome Jamey and Derric - Derric’s "The Star-Spangled Banner" arrangement
5:39 Jamey’s "The Star‑Spangled Banner" and how it differs
8:54 Why we sing the national anthem
11:39 Protecting the legacy of the song
15:33 Other patriotic highlights: "Shenandoah"
20:41 Continuing with "Shenandoah"
23:08 Besides Voices of Liberty, what other arrangements do you like?
24:55 Specific techniques for larger choirs to sing "Shenandoah"
29:37 The secret to the unison sound
31:41 Knowing music theory is important for singers
33:49 The difference between vocal and rehearsal warm-ups
36:58 "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
