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Down by the Riverside: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) Choral Octavo

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$2.25 USD
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Down by the Riverside Cover Image
Down by the Riverside: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) Choral Octavo

Down by the Riverside: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) Choral Octavo

Arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-19257
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Description
Written exclusively for young and developing 2- and 3-part groups, this fresh, new arrangement is a quick-learn piece for your singers. The bright, driving accompaniment supports the traditional, yet pop-contemporary sounding vocals. Staging is included in the publication and on Sally's "In the Spotlight!" Video, #19803. A rousing spiritual arrangement for young and developing choirs by Jay Althouse . . . a guaranteed winner!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Down by the Riverside: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) 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 Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081179025
SKU: 00-19257

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 as a Distinguished Alumnus. His early career in music publishing included eight years managing rights and licenses, followed by service on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. This background shaped his deep understanding of what works in real classrooms.

As a prolific composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in circulation, performed regularly across English-speaking countries. He holds ASCAP membership and receives their Special Award consistently for his compositions. Beyond concert music, he has collaborated with his wife Sally K. Albrecht on children's musicals, compiled vocal solo collections, and authored pedagogical resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and Ready to Read Music. His work I Hear America Singing was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's inauguration in 2009.

Why we love this

Althouse knows exactly what a developing choir needs: a piece that sounds contemporary and exciting without overextending young voices. The arrangement pairs accessible 2-part writing with a rhythmically engaging accompaniment that drives the piece forward, keeping singers motivated through rehearsals and performances alike. This is the kind of spiritual that lands with audiences because it feels both familiar and fresh.

What to expect

Bright and propulsive, with a pop-contemporary sensibility that makes the traditional spiritual feel urgent and alive. The driving accompaniment creates momentum that carries singers along, while the straightforward vocal lines let the text and melody shine.

Who it's for

Young and developing 2- or 3-part choirs looking for a piece that rehearses efficiently without sacrificing impact. Directors seeking a spiritual with modern energy will find this arrangement exactly right for singers still building fundamental skills.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the rhythmic energy of the accompaniment rather than letting it sit passively behind the vocals. Your singers will find their groove faster when they feel that forward momentum.
  • If you're using the staging option, block it early and often during rehearsals. The physical movement reinforces the song's character and helps younger singers stay engaged.
  • Take advantage of the recorded accompaniment to establish tempi and feel before singers ever open their mouths. Playing it repeatedly in warmups trains their ears to lock in quickly.

How to use it

Program this early in your concert when you need to grab attention and set an uplifted tone for the audience. The optional staging transforms it into a performance centerpiece rather than a filler piece, making it especially valuable for spring concerts or community events where visual engagement matters.

Skills your students will build

  • 2-part singing with secure voice independence
  • Rhythmic precision in syncopated accompaniment patterns
  • Connecting text expression to contemporary musical style
  • Movement and staging coordination with singing
  • Quick-learning efficiency on text and melody

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