Bethlehem, Bethlehem: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000747
$1.95
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Enjoy this original a cappella Christmas spiritual with optional bongo drum accompaniment. A slower contrasting middle section quotes a bit of "Go, Tell It on the Mountain." Features optional solos and descant. Exciting and rhythmic. And church choirs will enjoy it, too.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0000747
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. He spent eight years in music publishing administration, serving on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America, before establishing himself as one of the most prolific composers for choral ensembles, with over 800 published works spanning all difficulty levels.
Althouse's compositions have earned consistent recognition, including multiple ASCAP Special Awards for his contributions to standard choral music. Beyond his own work, he has co-created children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, edited widely used vocal collections, and authored numerous educational resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His choral composition "I Hear America Singing," co-written with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse crafts Christmas music that actually energizes a choir. The rhythmic drive and spiritual authenticity make this feel less like rote holiday fare and more like a piece your ensemble will genuinely want to rehearse and perform. The optional solos and descant create space for standout voices without requiring a large ensemble.
What to expect
Excitement and movement propel this piece forward, grounded in the authentic language of the spiritual tradition. The shift to a slower, reflective middle section invites genuine stillness before building back into rhythmic joy, giving singers and listeners a complete emotional arc within a single piece.
Who it's for
Church choirs and school ensembles looking for a contemporary Christmas spiritual that doesn't require instrumental forces but welcomes them. The optional solos and descant make it flexible for choirs with mixed skill levels, from community groups to advanced high school and college ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the bongo accompaniment (when used) anchor the rhythmic energy rather than overwhelm the voices; the drums should feel like a heartbeat beneath the harmony, not a competing texture.
- Shape the contrasting middle section with careful attention to the "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" reference; this moment works best when soloists float the melody clearly over a supported harmonic foundation.
- Balance the descant in the final section by rehearsing it separately with that voice part first, then layering it in; soprano descants can easily overshadow the chorale without intentional dynamic control.
- Lean into the spiritual's rhythmic vocabulary; this style thrives when singers feel permission to phrase freely and communicate the text rather than lock rigidly to the beat.
How to use it
Pair this as a secular closer or penultimate carol in a Christmas concert, where its rhythmic energy contrasts well with more reverent repertoire. It works equally well as a standalone spiritual for church services seeking contemporary yet rooted sacred music.
Skills your students will build
- Singing spiritual rhythms and phrasing with authenticity
- Balancing optional solos and descants with ensemble harmony
- Reading a cappella SATB voicing with rhythmic precision
- Coordinating with optional percussion accompaniment (if used)
- Interpreting contrasting tempos and dynamic shapes within a single piece