Can You See the Star? Cover Image

Can You See the Star?: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$24.95 USD
$24.95 USD
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Can You See the Star? Cover Image
Can You See the Star?: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Can You See the Star?: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Words and music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Item: 00-A-00015102
$24.95
Digital Download

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00015102

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has shaped American choral music for over four decades as a composer, conductor, and educator. Since 1987, she has received annual ASCAP Special Music Awards and maintains more than 600 choral works in print, along with 75 larger-scale musicals and songbooks. Her conducting has taken her to prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, where she has led honor choirs and festival performances across the country. She previously directed school choral, vocal, and elementary publications for major educational music publishers, including Alfred Music, and has held faculty positions at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College.

A Cleveland native, Albrecht earned a B.A. in Music and Theater from Rollins College (1976) and went on to receive both an M.A. in Drama and an M.M. in Accompanying from the University of Miami. She collaborated with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse, and currently resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Her leadership extends beyond the rehearsal studio: she served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and received their Pillar of Leadership award. In 2021, she was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.

Why we love this

Albrecht and Althouse craft choral arrangements that balance singability with genuine musical substance, making Christmas repertoire that feels fresh rather than routine. The inclusion of a recorded accompaniment opens this piece to more ensembles, whether your rehearsal pianist needs support or you're working with limited accompaniment resources. Directors appreciate Albrecht's instinct for what choirs can actually execute well while still delivering emotional impact.

What to expect

The piece captures the quiet reverence and gentle awe of contemplating a star on a winter night. Albrecht and Althouse's harmonic language feels contemporary yet warm, creating an intimate emotional landscape that invites singers and listeners into a moment of reflection rather than bombast.

Who it's for

This piece works for choirs of varying experience levels, from developing high school or middle school ensembles to adult community choirs seeking accessible Christmas material. The digital download format makes it ideal for directors who want flexible licensing and immediate access without waiting for printed score delivery.

How to get the most out of it

  • Use the recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool to help singers lock the melody and harmonic framework, then gradually reduce reliance as confidence builds.
  • Shape the text to emphasize the wonder and mystery of the star imagery; slight dynamic swells on key phrases will prevent the arrangement from sounding flat or monotone.
  • Balance the voice parts carefully so the soloists or featured sections remain audible without overwhelming the overall blend.
  • Attend to any divisi passages with intentional voice placement so upper and lower lines support one another rather than compete for space.

How to use it

Position this as an early-season Christmas offering that appeals to audiences seeking quieter, more introspective sacred moments alongside traditional carols and festive arrangements. It pairs well with both upbeat seasonal celebrations and contemplative candlelight services, giving you programming flexibility across December.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with sustained legit tone across longer phrases
  • Balancing part independence with blend and unified phrasing
  • Interpreting text to shape musical expression in sacred contexts
  • Responding to recorded accompaniment for rhythmic and harmonic reference

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