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Blessings of the Season: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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Blessings of the Season Cover Image
Blessings of the Season: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Blessings of the Season: 2-Part Choral Octavo

By Jay Althouse

Item: 00-24073
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Description
You might call it a "contemporary carol," and in fact, the lyrics are adapted from an old English carol. The fresh melody and crisp harmonies say "holidays" and the new words are just right for the caroling season, complete with a "fa-la-la" refrain. Add the optional hand drum and tambourine for a Celtic Christmas feel.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Blessings of the Season: 2-Part 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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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081261812
SKU: 00-24073
Instrumentation: Opt. Percussion

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. Early in his career, he spent eight years in music publishing as a rights and licenses administrator and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. His compositional output spans over 800 choral works performed regularly across the English-speaking world, and he is a writer member of ASCAP with multiple Special Awards recognizing his contributions to standard choral repertoire.

Beyond composing, Althouse has collaborated with his wife Sally K. Albrecht on children's musicals and co-authored influential classroom resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. He compiled and arranged the widely-used collection Folk Songs for Solo Singers and has written pedagogical materials for music classrooms. His choral composition 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. Althouse has served the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently advises the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse knows how to write for young choirs without talking down to them. The blend of familiar carol tradition with contemporary language and melody gives students something that feels immediate and relevant, while the optional percussion parts add just enough theatrical color to make rehearsal engaging without overwhelming a developing ensemble.

What to expect

Fresh and inviting. The melody sits comfortably and sings easily, while the new lyrics give the piece a modern sensibility that doesn't feel forced. Add the optional percussion and you get warmth with a hint of Celtic character, perfect for the season without being saccharine.

Who it's for

Developing choirs at the middle school, high school, or community level who want accessible holiday music with real harmonic interest. This works equally well for caroling groups looking for something beyond the standard repertoire or for choirs programming a winter concert that needs a piece that appeals to performers and audiences alike.

How to get the most out of it

  • Bring out the "fa-la-la" refrain as a moment of rhythmic lift; keep the energy conversational rather than overly polished, which suits the carol tradition.
  • If adding hand drum and tambourine, assign those parts early and let percussionists lock in during sectional rehearsals so the rest of the choir can hear the Celtic texture they're building.
  • Balance the two-part writing so neither voice dominates; this works best when both parts sing with equal confidence and blend.

How to use it

Position this as the lighter moment in a holiday concert, or use it as the centerpiece of a caroling event. It pairs well with both traditional and contemporary repertoire and works in any concert format where you want music that engages both singers and listeners without requiring extensive rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in two-part harmony with secure voice independence
  • Phrasing lyrical material with natural breath support
  • Ensemble blend and balance across two voice parts
  • Confidence in contemporary choral literature that draws from tradition

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