Below the Mistletoe: SATB Choral Octavo
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0004195
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Return to the 60s, the golden age of pop, with this new Christmas blast from the past by Jay Althouse. Listen to the girls: "Look at him, he's standing right below the mistletoe!" Then the guys: "Here I am...waiting for her. And it may take all night!" We won't mind if there's a little flirting on stage during this number. The groovy SoudTrax CD is a classic 60s pop production, complete with sleigh bells and timpani!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004195
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 honored as a Distinguished Alumni. His compositional output spans over 800 choral works performed across the English-speaking world, earning him recurring ASCAP Special Awards for his contributions to standard music repertoire.
Beyond composing, Althouse has shaped music education through his work as a rights and licenses administrator and through numerous publications including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and several reproducible classroom resources. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, a piece performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse resides in North Carolina and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
The 60s pop framework gives your singers immediate musical context and genuine interpretive freedom. Rather than imposing a single emotional path, the song's flirting premise invites treble and lower voices to inhabit distinct personas, creating natural engagement and stage energy without feeling forced. Althouse's groovy harmonic language captures the era's pop sensibility while remaining singable and charming.
What to expect
Nostalgic and playful, with the unmistakable shimmer of 1960s pop production. The harmonic language is warm and accessible, wrapping the sweetly awkward moment of mistletoe romance in sleigh bells and groove.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking festive, secular Christmas repertoire that connects with younger singers through recognizable pop idioms. This works well for holiday concerts, community performances, and groups comfortable with a lighthearted, flirtatious stage presence.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the dialogue structure by letting treble voices own the first observation with genuine curiosity, then give lower voices room to respond with playful confidence. This call-and-response dynamic carries the song's narrative.
- The recorded accompaniment features authentic 60s production details like sleigh bells and timpani; rehearse with it early so your choir internalizes the groove and tempo rather than fighting against it.
- Balance the lighter, conversational vocal lines with clear diction in the rhythmically straightforward passages, ensuring the story unfolds naturally rather than sounding overly formal.
How to use it
Pair this with other upbeat seasonal selections to anchor your concert's lighter half, or position it as a palate-cleansing contrast after a substantial choral work. Its short runtime and clear narrative make it an ideal choice for community performances where broader audiences appreciate straightforward charm.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in a pop idiom with groove and rhythmic precision
- Character interpretation through dialogue and perspective-taking between voice parts
- Diction and clarity in fast-moving harmonic passages
- Ensemble cohesion while maintaining distinct personality in SATB roles