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Deck the Hall and Swing It: SAB Choral Octavo

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Deck the Hall and Swing It Cover Image
Deck the Hall and Swing It: SAB Choral Octavo

Deck the Hall and Swing It: SAB Choral Octavo

Traditional Welsh Carol / arr., with new music, by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-48351
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Description
Crisp and cool as a peppermint stick, this re-imagined carol is refreshing in every way. From the light swing rhythms of the familiar melody to a jazz fantasia of "Fa la la's" in counterpoint, it's just the right blend of familiar, fun, and festive! A rhythm section SoundTrax is available.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081551746
SKU: 00-48351

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jay Althouse

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 eight years in rights and licensing at a major educational publisher gave him deep insight into what works in choral classrooms, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure.

As a composer, Althouse has over 800 works in print across all choir levels, performed regularly throughout the English-speaking world. He holds ASCAP membership and is a frequent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, curated vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and written classroom resources such as Ready to Read Music and Sixty Music Quizzes. He co-wrote 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 brings his signature blend of accessibility and sophistication to this carol arrangement. The swing rhythms feel contemporary without overshadowing the melody your singers know, and the counterpoint passages on the "Fa la la's" give a genuine musical payoff that keeps the piece interesting through multiple rehearsals and performances.

What to expect

Crisp and spirited, this arrangement captures the coolness of a winter's day wrapped in swing sensibilities. The familiar melody grounds singers while light syncopation and playful counterpoint create momentum and energy that feels both festive and sophisticated.

Who it's for

Directors looking to program a fresh holiday piece that works for SAB ensembles with mixed experience levels. This arrangement opens the door to jazz phrasing and rhythmic swing without requiring advanced vocal technique, making it accessible for high school choirs, community choirs, and adult singers new to jazz styles.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock in the swing feel early. Work the rhythm section independently first so the band feels the backbeat groove before the choir enters; this groove becomes the foundation for the entire piece.
  • Balance the "Fa la la" counterpoint carefully. These passages move fast, so singers need clear vowel shapes and precise ensemble blend to maintain clarity when multiple parts speak at once.
  • Let the recorded accompaniment set the tempo and articulation style. The rhythm section SoundTrax captures the jazz idiom and gives singers a reliable reference for where swing rhythms live in the measure.

How to use it

Program this as a main-stage holiday piece on a winter concert, or pair it with a more traditional carol to show the range of how this carol can be interpreted. The swing idiom also makes it an excellent choice for a secular holiday program or a concert that emphasizes contemporary choral writing.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing swing rhythms and understanding backbeat placement in 4/4 time
  • Reading and performing counterpoint in three-part writing
  • Shaping legit vowels and maintaining blend through rhythmically active passages
  • Listening to and responding to a rhythm section accompaniment

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