I started to do as you suggested and, though your procedure is sound (thank you), it didn't improve the score IMHO as it was a bit confusing to follow for novice coral members - might have been harder for them to know where their part jumped to. Not one of my better ideas. So I left it as a consistent 4 parts, four stave systems. The procedure will have application in the future, though, I am sure.
I also removed the "step" and "clap" voicing, leaving just a first line "visual" instruction. My midi skills weren't up to finding decent sounding "step" and "clap" rhythms. And, if I had found good ones, I have no idea how to make them portable so that that is what would be heard buy other users. It's not primarily about the midi anyway (printing is the main goal) so this isn't a request to delve into a solution to this at this time.
I have just one other minor issue that has to do with proper style more than software - in a separate post. The almost complete arrangement, "Yonder Come Day" will be attached there, "How to write ending indicators" in
General music tips and questions
Thanks for all your help!
Bill