American Folk Suite: Score: Choral SoundPax
Arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PR-0000747
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Description
There's just so much fun to be had with this sometimes tender, sometimes rollicking medley by accomplished arranger Jay Althouse. Five folk songs are combined into a thematic story which cleverly chronicles the journey of wedding-bound sweethearts. Opens gently with the melodic "Red River Valley," grooves through a rhythmic "Nine Hundred Miles," and firmly ties the knot with "Cindy!" The optional SoundTrax and SoundPax parts provide a solid folk accompaniment. SoundPax includes parts for 2 cl., a. sax., t. sax., tpt., tbn., rhy.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, American Folk Suite: Score: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
32
SKU:
00-PR-0000747
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse studied Music Education and Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. His career spans both the publishing world, where he spent eight years managing rights and licenses and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America, and creative work as a prolific composer with over 800 choral works in print.
Althouse's catalog reaches choirs across the English-speaking world. He holds membership in ASCAP and is a regular recipient of their Special Award for composition. Beyond choral writing, he has co-created children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled influential vocal solo collections, co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and authored classroom resources including Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. He served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently advises the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse binds five distinct folk songs into a cohesive narrative arc that actually means something to singers, rather than assembling a random string of melodies. The pacing is sharp and intentional: gentle opening, rhythmic middle, celebratory finale. This is arrangement work that respects both the folk material and the choir singing it.
What to expect
A journey captured in sound. You begin in soft, nostalgic territory, pick up momentum as the road unfolds, and arrive at celebration. The medley structure creates natural dramatic shape, and the wedding narrative gives singers something emotionally real to connect to.
Who it's for
Choirs looking for a confident, entertaining program piece that tells a story and demands musical engagement without extreme difficulty. The optional instrumental parts make it flexible for groups with varying instrumentation, and the folk idiom invites genuine expression from singers at intermediate levels.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the tonal shift between 'Red River Valley' and 'Nine Hundred Miles.' The first should sit in your warm, sustained tone; the second needs rhythmic snap and forward energy to land the groove.
- Balance the optional SoundPax accompaniment so the folk band supports rather than overwhelms the choir. These instruments brighten the sound without drowning out the voices.
- Shape the final "Cindy!" with genuine celebration. This isn't a quiet bow; it's a wedding knot tied with joy and conviction.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a standalone feature or as the centerpiece of a folk or Americana-themed concert. Consider pairing it with other Althouse arrangements or contrasting it with art songs to showcase range. It also suits spring or wedding-themed programs and brings warmth to pops concerts without sacrificing musicality.
Skills your students will build
- Navigating rhythmic changes and textural shifts within a single piece
- Singing in folk idiom with idiomatic phrasing and ease
- Ensemble balance when singing alongside optional instrumental parts
- Storytelling through music and sustained character across multiple songs