¡Cantar! (Sing!): SAB Choral Octavo

Althouse wrote a salsa choral work that actually sounds like salsa: the rhythmic drive, the Spanish text, and the melodic hook all feel genuinely rooted in the style rather than borrowed for novelty's sake. The combination of English and Spanish text keeps this accessible to non-Spanish-speaking choirs while building in authentic language exposure. Directors consistently gravitate to this piece because it energizes singers and audiences alike without requiring a lengthy rehearsal investment.

Infectious, celebratory, and buoyant. From the first phrase, the melody and rhythm pull singers forward with the confidence of a genuine salsa groove, while the bilingual text creates a sense of cultural openness and joy that feels genuine rather than performative.

Middle school, high school, and community choirs seeking a contemporary work with immediate appeal and accessibility. The SAB voicing welcomes mixed ensembles with limited soprano/alto range or smaller lower voice sections, and the straightforward text and rhythmic drive make it especially valuable for groups new to multicultural or Latin repertoire.

• Treat the syncopated rhythms as conversational rather than metronomic; let the forward momentum breathe between phrases so the salsa character emerges naturally.
• Balance the Spanish text pronunciation carefully in sections with all three parts; the clarity of the repetitive phrases is what makes the style recognizable.
• Lean into the recorded accompaniment's percussion foundation, which anchors the ensemble's rhythmic confidence and frees singers to focus on the melodic line and text communication.

This is an ideal closer for a concert mixing world music or multicultural themes, or position it as a high-energy bridge between contrasting pieces on a longer program. It also works exceptionally well as a spring or end-of-year celebration piece when rehearsal time is compressed and singers need music that builds energy quickly.

• Salsa rhythm fundamentals and syncopated rhythmic patterns in 4/4 time
• Spanish language pronunciation and diction in a musical context
• Code-switching between English and Spanish lyrics with clarity
• Ensemble balance in three-part mixed voicing
• Stylistic interpretation and groove-based conducting awareness