Clap Your Hands: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo
Music by Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0002226
$2.20
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Here's a captivating choral work written especially for 2-part and developing SSA choirs. Energetic vocal lines are punctuated by rhythmic handclaps and added layer upon layer to create a festive contemporary piece appropriate year round. Changing meters add excitement and contrasting dynamics enhance the energized character. A wonderful opener or closer for concert and festival use. Majestic SoundTrax CD.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0002226
More about this title
About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral music education for over three decades, serving as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at major educational publishers, most recently Alfred Music. A frequent clinician and conductor at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, she has built a catalog of more than 600 published choral works alongside 75 larger songbooks and musicals. Since 1987, she has been an annual recipient of the ASCAP Special Music Award, recognizing her consistent contributions to the field.
Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976) and the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979). Her work with choral movement and contemporary idioms has made her a trusted voice in repertoire selection for developing ensembles. In 2021, she received 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 understands what developing choirs need: clear, singable lines that don't sacrifice style or energy. The layered orchestration and rhythmic handclaps give singers something concrete to anchor to while the changing meters and dynamic contrasts keep the piece from ever feeling static. It's the kind of opener that actually energizes an audience and a choir alike.
What to expect
Bright, celebratory energy propels this piece forward; the rhythmic handclaps give it an almost percussive, dance-like quality that appeals to singers and audiences alike. Layers of vocal texture build gradually, creating momentum and excitement that feels contemporary without losing melodic warmth or accessibility.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for 2-part and developing SSA choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with immediate appeal. Directors programming concerts and festivals will find it engaging without being condescending to singers who are still building range and confidence. It's equally at home in a school setting or community choir context.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the handclap pattern cleanly in rehearsal before layering in vocal parts; consider assigning specific singers to lead the clapping sections so the rhythm stays locked throughout.
- Map out the meter changes on a whiteboard or rehearsal notes so singers see the visual pattern before attempting the transitions; hearing it in context helps internalize the shifts.
- Balance the dynamics carefully during the layering passages so each vocal line cuts through without pushing singers into tension; lighter, higher notes often project better than brute force.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor tempo and feel, especially during sections where rhythmic precision matters most for the festive character to land.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to immediately engage your audience and energize your singers. Its festive tone works year-round, but it pairs especially well alongside other secular contemporary pieces in a mixed programming season. As a closer, it leaves audiences in a buoyant mood and gives your singers a satisfying finale.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing changing meters (duple and triple)
- Sustaining rhythmic precision while singing layered vocal parts
- Dynamic control and blend across shifting textural densities
- Coordinating vocal lines with rhythmic movement (handclaps)
- Building musicality in contemporary secular repertoire