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Christmas Kum Ba Ya: TBB Choral Octavo

$1.90 USD
$1.90 USD
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Christmas Kum Ba Ya Cover Image
Christmas Kum Ba Ya: TBB Choral Octavo

Christmas Kum Ba Ya: TBB Choral Octavo

Traditional Spiritual / arr., with new words and music, by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-45386
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Description
This African-inspired arrangement of the favorite spiritual is newly available for SSA and TBB choirs. Rhythmic and stirring, an original Swahili text punctuates the familiar lullaby melody. Triadic harmonies are both accessible and enjoyable to sing. Distinctive and unforgettable!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Christmas Kum Ba Ya: TBB 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: 038081511269
SKU: 00-45386

More about this title

About the Arranger: 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 professional experience includes eight years as a rights and licenses administrator at a major educational publisher, where he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.

As a composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in print across all skill levels, performed regularly throughout the English-speaking world. He holds membership in ASCAP and is a frequent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, edited vocal solo collections, co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and created classroom resources including Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. He served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently advises the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse brings a spiritual authenticity to this arrangement that respects both the African roots of the form and the universality of the melody. The addition of original Swahili text creates a genuine multicultural experience rather than a surface-level nod, and the rhythmic energy makes this feel distinctly fresh compared to the countless generic Christmas spiritual arrangements out there.

What to expect

This arrangement pulses with quiet confidence, grounding the beloved "Kum Ba Ya" melody in rhythmic and harmonic language that feels intentional and alive. The blend of familiar lullaby with African-inspired rhythms and Swahili text creates an atmosphere of both comfort and discovery, inviting listeners into something at once timeless and distinctly present.

Who it's for

Men's choirs at intermediate level and above will find this arrangement singable yet rewarding. The TBB voicing sits comfortably for tenors and basses while maintaining harmonic substance, making it ideal for festival programming, holiday concerts, or services seeking music that honors both tradition and cultural awareness.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the rhythmic drive of the arrangement; the percussion and rhythmic figures in the accompaniment should propel rather than meander. Lock in with the recorded accompaniment to find the groove.
  • Shape the Swahili text with clear diction and intention. These words anchor the cultural identity of the piece, so invest time in pronunciation and meaning.
  • Balance the familiar melody with the harmonies around it. The triadic harmonies are sturdy enough to support independent voice lines; don't let all three parts merge into the tune.
  • Allow space for the spiritual's contemplative quality to emerge between the rhythmic sections. This piece breathes best when you contrast energy with stillness.

How to use it

Position this alongside other spirituals or world music for a thematic concert section that explores how familiar songs travel across cultures. Its accessibility makes it an excellent choice for holiday concerts where you want to offer substance without overwhelming singers, and the recorded accompaniment keeps the rehearsal load manageable even during busy season.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in parallel triadic harmonies with independent voice lines
  • Rhythmic precision in arrangements with percussion and groove-based accompaniment
  • Diction and cultural context in non-English text
  • Balancing melody awareness with harmonic contribution

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