A Classic Kyrie: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Arr. Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0004248
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
Sally Albrecht has adeptly set a "Kyrie eleison" text to Handel's classic "Sarabande" melody. You'll recognize the melody as soon as you hear it, and your immediate reaction will be, "Why hasn't someone done this before?" The solid, fundamental choral writing is simple and accessible, appropriate for all age groups. Easy keyboard accompaniment.
A Classic Kyrie: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004248
More about this title
About the Arranger: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht has spent over three decades shaping choral music education as a composer, conductor, and clinician with a particular gift for integrating movement into choral performance. Her prolific catalog includes more than 600 choral publications and 75 larger works, all while serving as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at Alfred Music. She has received the ASCAP Special Music Award annually since 1987 and has conducted honor choirs at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center.
Albrecht earned her B.A. in Music and Theater from Rollins College in 1976, followed by an M.A. in Drama and an M.M. in Accompanying from the University of Miami. She has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College, and currently resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.
Why we love this
Albrecht's instinct to pair Handel's unmistakable "Sarabande" with the Kyrie text creates an immediate sense of recognition and purpose that engages singers and audiences alike. The three-part writing respects the melody's dignity while remaining genuinely accessible; there's no simplification that compromises musical integrity. This is the kind of arrangement that feels inevitable once you hear it, making it an excellent choice for mixed ensembles seeking repertoire with both spiritual weight and immediate appeal.
What to expect
There's an immediate warmth to hearing Handel's familiar melody bloom with new spiritual intention. The Sarabande carries its characteristic stateliness and grace, now deepened by the contemplative weight of the Kyrie text, creating something both timeless and freshly meaningful.
Who it's for
This octavo suits mixed choirs across age ranges and experience levels, from high school ensembles to community and church choirs. The accessible part-writing means even younger singers can navigate it successfully while still engaging with a recognized masterwork.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the SAB voicing to let the melody sing naturally through whichever part carries it; avoid letting inner parts overwhelm the primary line
- Work the keyboard accompaniment early in rehearsal to establish harmonic grounding; the simplicity of the writing means every accompaniment choice becomes audible
- Shape the phrase contours with gentle dynamics rather than dramatic shifts; the Sarabande's stately character calls for restraint and continuity
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for sacred concerts or as a bridge between secular and devotional repertoire. It works equally well as a processional or recessional in liturgical settings, and its straightforward accessibility makes it suitable for community performances where mixed choirs of varying skill levels gather.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing three-part mixed voicing with clear melody and harmonic support
- Singing text-driven sacred music with appropriate reverence and phrasing
- Identifying and performing a famous melodic theme in a new context
- Collaborating with keyboard accompaniment in supported ensemble singing