Choral Resources

Teachers keep coming back to Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory (Complete, Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3) by Karen Farnum Surmani and co-authors, which remain foundational across grade levels. Sing at First Sight Level 1 and Level 2 (by Karen Farnum Surmani and Andy Beck respectively) guide students through sight-singing with accessible progressions. Missa Festiva by John Leavitt offers a substantial SATB octavo for concert programming, while The Vocalize! Canon Collection by Andy Beck combines warm-up work with ensemble singing in one resource.

Karen Farnum Surmani is Early Childhood Acquisition Editor and Vocal Masterworks Editor at Alfred Music, holding degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Her theory and sight-singing series form the methodological backbone of this collection, providing systematic instruction from beginner through advanced levels.

Andy Beck directs Choral Publications at Alfred Music and has over 450 published choral works in print. His method books like Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! are taught in classrooms worldwide, and his compositions appear regularly on contest and concert programs.

Jay Althouse brings eight years of experience as a rights administrator for an educational publisher combined with a prolific catalog of over 800 choral works. His Complete Choral Warm-Up Book provides the warm-up infrastructure many directors build their rehearsals around.

Sally K. Albrecht is an ASCAP award-winning composer and clinician known for integrating movement into choral practice. Her more than 600 publications and 75 larger works span secular and sacred repertoire, and her conducting credits include major venue honor choirs at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center.