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Blizzard on the Way!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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Blizzard on the Way! Cover Image

Blizzard on the Way!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Words and music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-38279

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Description
A 100% chance of precipitation equals a 100% chance of anticipation . . . that school will be closed! Your 2-part choirs will "dig in" when singing this driving, disco, wintertime hit. Featured on "Reaching for the Stars" choral movement DVD 00-39928. Check this out! https://leapingbrain.com/modshop/product/?shop=9&product=5662

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Blizzard on the Way!: 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: 038081427492
SKU: 00-38279

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse studied Music Education and Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later earned the Distinguished Alumni award. His background in educational publishing, including eight years managing rights and licenses and a term on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America, has shaped his understanding of what works in choral classrooms.

Althouse has composed over 800 choral works performed worldwide and holds regular ASCAP Special Awards for his output. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored the widely adopted Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His educational resources, Ready to Read Music and Sixty Music Quizzes, have served generations of music teachers. He has been active in his North Carolina community through the Master Chorale board and continues contributing to the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse captures the unspoken joy of a snow day with infectious energy that 2-part singers can sink their teeth into. The disco-inflected groove keeps the novelty from feeling gimmicky, and the driving rhythm naturally engages young voices without requiring advanced harmonic reading.

What to expect

Blizzard on the Way! pulses with anticipatory excitement, the kind of restless energy that builds through a school day when snow clouds gather. The disco undertones give it a retro-contemporary flavor that feels playful rather than forced, inviting singers to enjoy the performance as much as the audience does.

Who it's for

Two-part choirs at the middle school, early high school, or developing community level will find this accessible and immediately engaging. Singers grasp the subject matter instantly, which frees their minds to focus on part independence and rhythmic precision.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the energy locked in by having the two parts practice their rhythmic independence separately before blending. The disco feel depends on precision, not just enthusiasm.
  • Lean into the comedic timing. The text celebrates anticipation and school closures, so encourage singers to find joy in the subject matter rather than treating it as throwaway fun.
  • The recorded accompaniment will anchor your tempo and groove. Use it in rehearsal early to establish the stylistic feel before singers internalize the pulse on their own.

How to use it

This works as an ideal winter concert opener or closer, depending on whether you want to energize the audience at the start or send them home grinning. Its upbeat nature makes it a natural pairing with more serious seasonal selections, providing contrast and levity without undermining your program's musicality.

Skills your students will build

  • Rhythmic independence between two-part lines in a syncopated groove
  • Sustaining energy and precision in a driving, disco-influenced style
  • Text communication and comedic timing in secular choral music
  • Following recorded accompaniment cues while maintaining part integrity

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