Christmas a la Fa La La: SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
By Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000780
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Something new and different for the holidays! This fantastic choral work quotes moments of your favorite carols, all on a "fa la la" text---that is until a bit of the "Hallelujah Chorus" appears near the end. Festive fun for everyone! Can be sung a cappella or with the optional keyboard accompaniment. Accompaniment included on PianoTrax 1 CD (00-31028).
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000780
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored with the Distinguished Alumni award. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a prolific composer, Althouse has more than 800 choral works in print across all levels and maintains membership in ASCAP, where he is a regular recipient of the Special Award for composition.
Beyond his choral output, Althouse has collaborated with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and vocal collections, and co-authored influential resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His instructional materials for music classrooms include Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios. He served as co-writer of I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Althouse serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse layers genuine musical wit into this piece by weaving recognizable carol moments throughout a playful "fa la la" framework, creating something that feels both fresh and familiar. The entrance of the Hallelujah Chorus at the end lands with real dramatic impact and gives singers a moment to celebrate what they've been building, making this a satisfying closer that audiences will remember. It's the kind of piece that generates smiles from performers and listeners alike while remaining musically engaging for your SAB singers.
What to expect
Festive and playful, yet musically substantial. The "fa la la" sections sparkle with holiday joy, while the quotations anchor the piece in genuine musical tradition. When the Hallelujah arrives, it feels like a joyful culmination rather than a gimmick.
Who it's for
Any SAB choir looking for a holiday selection that entertains without sacrificing musicality. It works equally well for concert choirs, community choruses, and festival performances where directors want something spirited but not superficial.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the carol quotations early so the audience catches them; clarity on melody lines during those moments pays off in recognition and delight
- Keep the "fa la la" sections light and bouncy—resist the urge to drag. This text thrives on energy and rhythmic precision
- Let the Hallelujah moment breathe. Since it arrives near the end after sustained "fa la la" singing, allow singers a beat to shift their mindset and deliver it with fresh vocal weight
- If performing a cappella, lock in unison or near-unison passages first; they anchor the tuning for the fuller chords that follow
How to use it
Program this as the lighter centerpiece of a holiday set, perhaps after a more serious carol and before a reflective closing number. Its energy and recognizable moments make it ideal for engaging general audiences while giving your singers a performance experience that feels both fun and accomplished.
Skills your students will build
- Identifying and performing well-known carol melodies within a new compositional context
- Maintaining consistent rhythm and ensemble precision in fast, articulated "fa la la" passages
- Singing a cappella with pitch accuracy across three voice parts
- Making a stylistic shift from playful material to a grand, reverent choral moment