Esta Es el Tiempo: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Althouse brings multicultural repertoire into the choral canon with genuine respect for the source material rather than surface-level exoticism. The inclusion of movement and staging directions gives your singers a complete performance experience straight out of the score, while the recorded accompaniment and available instrumental parts make this accessible whether you're performing with full instrumentation or keeping it intimate.

The work radiates immediacy and joy. Spanish-language text carries the voice into unfamiliar territory for many English-speaking singers, creating a sense of cultural encounter that feels genuine rather than performed. Movement becomes a natural extension of the emotional arc rather than decoration.

This piece works for intermediate to advanced choirs seeking repertoire that celebrates multicultural voices and lived experience. It's equally suited to festival programming, concert contexts where you want meaningful diversity, or rehearsal settings where singers benefit from structured choreography.

• Engage your singers with the movement and staging suggestions built into the score; these aren't optional flourishes but integral to how the piece communicates.
• Balance the Spanish text carefully against any English portions. Spend rehearsal time on pronunciation so the language sits naturally in the singers' voices.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to establish the harmonic foundation and rhythmic feel before layering in instrumental parts.

Schedule this in a concert that explores identity, community, or global perspectives. Its energy and engaging staging make it a strong mid-program selection that can reset the room's energy before a more introspective work. It also pairs well with other Althouse multicultural selections if your singers are exploring his approach across several pieces.

• Singing with Spanish language text and authentic pronunciation
• Coordinating movement and gesture with vocal production
• Interpreting multicultural repertoire with cultural sensitivity
• Following staging directions while maintaining musical focus