All Aboard!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse brings his signature gift for singable melody and accessible harmony to two golden-age standards in a single package. The arrangement swings without demanding extensive jazz technique from your singers, making it genuinely useful for both chamber choirs and full ensembles. You get authentic Great American Songbook repertoire with the confidence that it's been arranged by someone who understands what middle and high school choirs can actually execute.

You're riding the rails of mid-century American optimism. The energy of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" lifts into the Western adventure of "Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," with Harry Warren's unforgettable melodies driving everything forward. The harmonies swing gently without feeling complex or overwrought.

This arrangement suits choirs ranging from small jazz ensembles to full-sized groups. It works equally well for directors looking to add accessible pop-jazz repertoire to a fall or spring concert without requiring an external accompanist.

• Keep the rhythmic energy steady and forward; these songs thrive on momentum rather than legato phrasing, especially through the swing sections.
• Balance the melodic line so the story of each song comes through clearly, even when inner voices carry harmonic material.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish tempo and groove, then rehearse sections without it to develop independent part-singing before bringing it back.

Program this as a high-energy centerpiece in a pops concert, or pair it with other Great American Songbook selections for a thematic set. Its moderate difficulty and audience appeal make it an excellent choice for a spring concert that needs freshness without technical risk, especially if you want to showcase your choir's ability to handle contemporary style.

• Swing rhythm and jazz phrasing conventions
• Articulation in uptempo ensemble contexts
• Part independence with recorded accompaniment
• Blending voices in sectional harmony arrangements