Ask Me to Sing: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Albrecht and Althouse craft choral writing that balances accessibility with genuine musical interest, making this piece work equally well as a concert opener that energizes an audience or a closer that leaves them smiling. The recorded accompaniment (available separately) gives directors flexibility to work independently on voicing and interpretation without needing an accompanist at every rehearsal. This is the kind of piece that reminds singers why they love being in choir.

This is music that radiates warmth and invitation. The secular text and melodic approach create a conversational, welcoming tone that draws audiences in without demanding anything heavy or dark of your singers. There's genuine joy in the musical gesture, the kind that makes singers feel capable and proud of their sound.

Choirs at the middle school through early high school level will find this piece immediately singable and rewarding. The octavo format makes it accessible for most school choral programs, and the combination of approachable ranges and straightforward part-writing keeps rehearsal time efficient while still delivering a polished performance.

• Engage the recorded accompaniment early in rehearsal so singers can hear the full harmonic picture and lock into the accompaniment's tempo and style without guessing.
• Establish clear vowel shapes on the title phrase 'Ask me to sing'; repetition of these exact words throughout the piece means consistency here pays dividends.
• Balance the upper voices carefully during any divisi sections to ensure no part disappears into the blend, especially if your section sizes vary.
• Plan your dynamic trajectory across the entire arc rather than singing each phrase in isolation; this song rewards storytelling through shape.

Use this as an opener to set an upbeat, engaging mood for your concert from the first piece, or as a closer that sends the audience out smiling. It also works beautifully in a program that mixes art song arrangements with lighter contemporary choral writing, offering a tonal palette shift that keeps listener attention. If you're preparing for a choral festival or competition, this piece demonstrates musicianship without requiring specialized technique your singers haven't yet developed.

• Blending voices across parts while maintaining individual line clarity
• Singing rhythmically independent of the accompaniment while staying connected to it
• Shaping phrases with intention across multiple repetitions of similar material
• Responding to dynamic and expressive markings that deepen musical storytelling