Choral Resources

Teachers return consistently to Karen Farnum Surmani's Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory Complete and Book 1, which anchor music fundamentals instruction. Andy Beck's Sing at First Sight Level 1 is equally central to choral programs. For performance, John Leavitt's Missa Festiva remains a popular choice for choirs looking for substantial sacred work.

Andy Beck is Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music and brings over 450 published choral works to print, including the widely used Sing at First Sight series and Vocalize! vocal warm-up method. His music circulates globally and he serves regularly as a guest conductor.

Karen Farnum Surmani holds the title of Early Childhood Acquisition Editor and Vocal Masterworks Editor at Alfred Music. With a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Northridge, and a master's in Music Education, she has authored or co-authored the Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory and Sing at First Sight series, both foundational texts in many choral classrooms.

Jay Althouse holds both B.S. and M.Ed. degrees in music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and spent eight years as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher. He has composed more than 800 choral works across all choir levels and brings deep experience in both music publishing and choral composition.

Sally K. Albrecht is a choral composer, conductor, and clinician known especially for her work integrating movement into choral performance. An annual ASCAP Special Music Award recipient since 1987, she has over 600 choral publications in print and has conducted honor choirs at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center.