Bethlehem, Bethlehem: SSAB a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000748
$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-0000748
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 honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. He spent eight years working in rights and licensing for a major educational music publisher, during which he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. His catalog exceeds 800 choral compositions performed worldwide, and he is a writer member of ASCAP with multiple Special Award recognitions.
Beyond composing, Althouse has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, curated vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored widely adopted classroom resources like Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. His choral work I Hear America Singing, co-written with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. He has served on the boards of the North Carolina Master Chorale and the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse brings the rhythmic drive and spiritual authenticity of Christmas spirituals without sacrificing singability or accessibility. The optional solos and descant give you flexible casting choices, while the contrasting middle section that quotes "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" adds musical sophistication and theological depth that audiences recognize immediately.
What to expect
Rhythmic and alive, grounded in the spiritual tradition while moving forward with modern harmonic language. The central shift to a reflective moment brings vulnerability and contemplation before the energy returns, creating an arc that feels both celebratory and reverent.
Who it's for
Church choirs and school choirs seeking a Christmas spiritual that combines contemporary energy with genuine spiritual substance. The piece works equally well for choirs with developing vocal technique and those with more advanced ensemble skills, thanks to Althouse's carefully balanced writing.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening with forward momentum through the rhythmic sections; the optional bongo accompaniment works best when the vocal parts establish a clear, propulsive pulse first.
- Balance any featured solos carefully against the full ensemble parts so the descant adds shimmer without overshadowing the harmonic foundation.
- In the slower middle section, give singers time to breathe and lean into the spiritual character of the familiar melody quotation; this contrast makes the return to the main material land with greater impact.
- If using bongo accompaniment, ensure the player listens closely to the a cappella entrance and understands the rhythmic foundation your choir establishes before adding percussion color.
How to use it
Program this alongside other spirituals in a holiday concert to anchor a set in authentic African American choral tradition. Its moderate length and moderate difficulty make it an ideal main-stage piece that can frame stronger repertoire or serve as the emotional centerpiece of a holiday program.
Skills your students will build
- Singing a cappella in SSAB voicing with attention to blend and intonation
- Reading rhythmically active material with confident articulation
- Performing divisi sections (soprano descant) with secure part independence
- Interpreting spiritual style with appropriate vocal color and phrasing
- Balancing optional solo parts within full ensemble texture