Deck the Hall and Swing It: SAB Choral Octavo
Traditional Welsh Carol / arr., with new music, by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0006336
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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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
SKU:
00-PO-0006336
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. His career spans both the publishing industry (where he spent eight years managing rights and licenses and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America) and composition, resulting in more than 800 published choral works performed widely across English-speaking countries.
Beyond choral composition, Althouse has co-authored children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and written instructional resources such as The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, Ready to Read Music, and Sixty Music Quizzes. As a writer member of ASCAP, he is a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. His collaborative work I Hear America Singing was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's Inauguration in 2009. He serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and has contributed articles to its quarterly publication.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the playful energy of a jazz reimagining without losing the carol's instant recognizability. Swing rhythms feel natural for choirs at this level, and the counterpoint work on the "fa la la's" gives singers genuine harmonic independence while remaining accessible. It's the kind of piece that sounds more sophisticated than it is to prepare, making rehearsals genuinely fun.
What to expect
Cool, modern, and unexpectedly swinging. The familiar melody arrives as light and refreshing as the arrangement's peppermint-stick aesthetic suggests, while the contrapuntal "fa la la's" create a sophisticated jazz pocket that makes singers feel like they're part of something contemporary and clever. It's festive without being cheesy.
Who it's for
SAB choirs looking for a Christmas selection that moves beyond traditional carols and into the jazz idiom. Directors serving mixed-voice ensembles at the middle school through community choir level will find this piece manageable but genuinely engaging for singers and audiences alike.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the swing feel early by establishing a relaxed backbeat with the rhythm section; light and bouncy trumps heavy.
- Balance the "fa la la" counterpoint so each voice part stays audible; resist the urge to let sopranos dominate the jazz fantasia.
- Use the recorded accompaniment during initial rehearsals to anchor the swing rhythms, then gradually shift to live rhythm section support if available.
- Encourage singers to listen across parts during the counterpoint section; this section rewards blend and precision.
How to use it
Place this as a standalone holiday number in a concert that mixes traditional and contemporary repertoire, where it will feel like a breath of fresh air after more solemn carols. It also works beautifully as an opener or closing number for a holiday concert when you want to send the audience out with a modern, upbeat energy.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythm interpretation and feel
- Independent voice part work in contrapuntal writing
- Listening across parts while maintaining blend
- Intonation control in jazz-influenced harmonies
- Collaboration with rhythm section (piano, bass, drums if available)