¡Cantar! (Sing!): TB Choral Octavo

Althouse brings Latin rhythms into a genuinely singable arrangement that holds energy without demanding virtuosity. The bilingual text feels organic rather than tagged on, and the salsa style gives TB choirs access to contemporary repertoire that actually excites students rather than feeling like an obligation.

A sun-soaked salsa groove that invites movement and joy. The repetitive melodic phrases and bilingual text create an immediate sense of celebration that feels both familiar and fresh.

TB choirs seeking contemporary material that combines accessibility with genuine style and cultural relevance. This works well for groups at the middle school through community choir level that want to program something rhythmically engaging and singable.

• Keep the infectious rhythmic pulse steady throughout; the piece lives in the groove, so a metronomic approach from the rhythm section anchors everything else.
• Emphasize the Spanish pronunciation clearly without exaggerating. The repetitive phrases become your textural hook, so diction consistency matters enormously.
• Balance the TB voicing so tenors and basses sit equally in the mix; avoid letting the melody dominate if it lands in the tenor line.
• Layer in the recorded accompaniment early in rehearsal to lock the style and energy into the singers' ears quickly.

Program this as a concert opener or midsection energizer; it pairs naturally with other multicultural work or as a tonal shift after heavier repertoire. Its rhythmic propulsion and short length (12 pages) make it ideal for bringing a program back to life without requiring extensive rehearsal time.

• Latin rhythmic patterns (particularly salsa-based syncopation)
• Spanish pronunciation and language clarity
• Secure TB voicing independence while singing rhythmically active material
• Stylistic flexibility in approaching non-classical idioms