El Ritmo de la Noche (The Rhythm of the Night): Drums: Choral SoundPax
(The Rhythm of the Night)
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PC-0000616_D
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Description
Rhythmic. Passionate. Scintillating. Take a good look at this vibrant multicultural feature by Jay Althouse. You simply cannot sit still as this sizzling song captures you with its infectious Latin groove and harmonic progression. With a text in both English and Spanish, El Ritmo de la Noche speaks to the sound and spirit of music as an essential life force. "You move me; you are my emotion." A pronunciation guide and translation are included, and the optional SoundTrax or SoundPax, and choreography video or DVD will add to your performance. Featured on the new staging DVD/Video "On the Stage!" (DVD #23037, Video #23129). SoundPax Includes parts for alto sax., tenor sax., trumpet, trombone, bass trombone [opt.], and rhythm.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, El Ritmo de la Noche (The Rhythm of the Night): Drums: Choral SoundPax 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:
36
SKU:
00-PC-0000616_D
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse studied music education and music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. He spent eight years working in rights and licensing for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure.
As a composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in print across all ability levels, performed regularly in English-speaking countries worldwide. A writer member of ASCAP and multiple-time recipient of the ASCAP Special Award, he has collaborated with his wife Sally K. Albrecht on children's musicals and vocal collections, co-authored widely used resources like The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and contributed to the folk music field through work with the Folk Art Society of America. He resides in North Carolina.
Why we love this
Althouse writes music that makes singers want to move and audiences want to listen. The bilingual text and Latin groove create an immediate connection to repertoire that feels current and culturally resonant, while the harmonic language remains accessible enough for mixed-ability choirs to execute with confidence and joy.
What to expect
The moment the Latin groove locks in, the room becomes a celebration. Infectious rhythmic energy meets harmonic sophistication and sincere text about music as an emotional life force, creating a performance that feels both joyful and grounded in something meaningful.
Who it's for
Mixed choirs at the high school and college levels, as well as adult community choruses looking for contemporary repertoire with cultural substance. Directors who want a piece that energizes singers and audiences alike will find this a reliable draw for concerts, festivals, and multicultural programming.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the Latin groove grounded in the rhythm section; the infectious quality depends on secure, laid-back precision rather than rushing through the pulse.
- Work the Spanish pronunciation early and separately from the melodic line so singers own the language and can focus on style and ensemble blend during full rehearsals.
- The SoundPax parts (alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm) add textural weight; make sure your instrumentalists understand the Latin feel so they lock with the choir's groove rather than fighting it.
- Let the passion come from text clarity and dynamic shape, not volume; the harmony is rich enough to carry weight at moderate dynamics.
How to use it
Program this as a standout feature that bridges contemporary and world music contexts, or pair it with other Latin or Spanish-language repertoire to create a thematic concert segment. The optional choreography video makes it ideal for concerts where movement and staging will strengthen the overall presentation.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in Spanish with authentic pronunciation and phrasing
- Maintaining a Latin groove and rhythmic precision against a syncopated accompaniment
- Ensemble blend and balance with instrumental ensemble partners
- Text expression and emotional communication in a non-native language
- Movement and choreography coordination with ensemble singing