Be Still, Jordan: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: Be Still, Jordan: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-17680
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-17680

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Original, walking-tempo spiritual features two solos for any low part. In the tradition of classic "River Jordan" spirituals with a simple yet moving text.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Be Still, Jordan: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081157207

SKU: 00-17680

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licensing for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.

With over 800 choral works in print, Althouse's compositions are performed regularly across the English-speaking world. He is an ASCAP writer member and a consistent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond his solo compositions, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored educational resources such as Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. His collaborative work with Albrecht, I Hear America Singing, was performed at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse resides in North Carolina and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

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Why we love this

Althouse captures the essence of the spiritual tradition while keeping the vocal demands accessible. The walking tempo and optional solos for any low part give you flexibility in casting, making this work equally at home in community choirs and high school ensembles.

What to expect

A meditation on faith and constancy, carried forward by a gentle, persistent pulse. The spiritual's simplicity masks its depth; the walking tempo and traditional harmonic language create space for singers and listeners to meet the text on its own terms.

Who it's for

This octavo works for SATB choirs of mixed skill levels. Directors seeking an authentic spiritual with modest technical demands but genuine emotional weight will find a reliable program piece that opens doors to discussions about the spiritual tradition.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the text with legit weight. These spirituals rely on lyrical phrasing rather than rhythmic snap, so encourage singers to breathe the melody across natural language phrase boundaries.
Cast the solos by voice quality rather than part assignment. Since either low voice can sing each solo, listen for whose tone and interpretive instinct serves the spiritual's emotional arc.
Keep the accompaniment moving with steady pulse without rushing. The walking tempo sits in a contemplative space; let it breathe there rather than pushing toward energy.

How to use it

Pair this with other spirituals or sacred works to deepen a program's spiritual dimension, or feature it as a standalone moment of reflection in a diverse concert. The modest forces required make it suitable for off-season performances, community events, or occasions calling for reverent, unadorned singing.