Esta Es el Tiempo: Choral SoundPax

Althouse's gift for infusing contemporary energy into accessible choral writing shines here. The blend of Spanish and English lyrics, paired with live instrumental color (sax, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section), makes this feel like a genuine celebration rather than a classroom exercise. The movement and staging elements built into the score give directors natural choreographic hooks without requiring elaborate production.

Bright, rhythmically propulsive, and genuinely celebratory. The Spanish and English lyrics create a conversational quality that feels immediate and personal, while the live horn section and rhythm accompaniment give the piece a contemporary pop or fusion sensibility. It's the sound of joy that doesn't feel forced.

Choirs at the middle school through early high school level who want to perform something contemporary and culturally grounded. Directors seeking a strong multicultural piece that feels performable without extensive staging resources will find this accessible and rewarding.

• Treat the Spanish text with authentic rhythmic clarity; work the Latin percussion feel into your rhythm section so the groove locks before the choir enters.
• Balance the saxes and trumpets so they punctuate the vocal lines without overwhelming the text. These instruments should feel like conversation partners, not background texture.
• Encourage the choir to commit physically to the movement cues in the score. The staging is integral to the piece's energy and helps singers feel the pulse.
• Shape the English sections with the same rhythmic precision you bring to the Spanish. The code-switching between languages is part of the piece's identity.

Position this as an energetic centerpiece in a concert built around cultural celebration or diversity themes. It pairs well with other world music selections and works beautifully as a closer or opening number because of its rhythmic momentum and audience appeal. The recorded accompaniment option makes it flexible for rehearsal or performance contexts.

• Singing Spanish diction with rhythmic precision
• Balancing choral blend with live instrumental accompaniment
• Coordinating movement and staging with ensemble singing
• Understanding code-switching between two languages within a single musical line
• Responding to rhythmic cues from a rhythm section and horn players