I recommend you seek to hear James Erb’s arrangement of Shenandoah. It is one of the most exquisitely affecting renditions of anything I have ever heard or sung.
I was in a chamber ensemble that competed internationally in 2005, in Italy. This was one of our Folk Category pieces. We did not win, since this organization preferred more avant garde compositions, but three of the eleven very experienced judges were in tears before we finished.
It is sophisticated yet simple: It begins with women unison, followed by men unison, then switches to stunning divisi. The yearning for home this song instills is almost palpable.
It requires an advanced ensemble because of the parts and ranges, rather than because of complexity; the Bass II’s, for instance, sing a C#2 as I recall.
Thanks for directing me to this - I love this song, and will look it up.