Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Vol. 1 (High Voice): Digital Audio Download

$16.99 USD

Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Vol. 1 (High Voice): Digital Audio Download

11 Folk Songs Arranged for Solo Voice and Piano... For Recitals, Concerts, and Contests

Ed. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-AA-0000269

$16.99

Digital Download

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1 01 Amazing Grace --:--

2 02 Greensleeves --:--

3 03 Liza Jane --:--

01 Amazing Grace

No sample videos found.

Series: For Solo Singers

Publisher: Alfred Music

SKU: 00-AA-0000269

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse earned his B.S. in Music Education and M.Ed. in Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. His career spans both publishing and composition: he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, he has more than 800 choral works in print and is a regular ASCAP award recipient for his contributions to standard educational music.

Beyond his prolific output for choirs, Althouse has shaped music education through compilations like this collection and co-authored influential pedagogical books including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His collaborative work with his wife Sally K. Albrecht includes several children's musicals and I Hear America Singing, performed at President Obama's inauguration by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs. He serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and contributes regularly to the organization's publications.

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Why we love this

Althouse has curated this collection with a voice teacher's ear for what works in the studio and on stage. Each song sits naturally in the high voice range while remaining genuinely singable, and the audio accompaniments give students something to lock onto without overwhelming the intimacy of solo performance. This collection bridges the gap between folk authenticity and accessible pedagogy, making it ideal for building confidence and connection in young singers.

What to expect

These arrangements honor folk traditions while sounding fresh and contemporary. The high voice sits comfortably in the soprano and mezzo-soprano range, allowing singers to project warmth and character without strain. Each song carries the storytelling quality that makes folk music enduring, supported by understated accompaniments that enhance rather than overshadow the vocal line.

Who it's for

High voice soloists preparing audition material, studio singers building a repertoire that bridges classical and folk traditions, and music educators seeking quality solo literature for their students. The digital format makes it accessible whether you're practicing at home or in a lesson studio.

How to get the most out of it

Listen to the accompaniment several times before singing along so the harmonic context becomes clear without becoming a crutch.
Shape your phrase endings with intention; folk songs often benefit from a slight breath and diminuendo rather than a hard stop.
Experiment with where you sit rhythmically within the pulse. These arrangements have room for subtle rubato that honors the songs' heritage.
Use the download format to practice at different tempos by adjusting playback speed if your device allows it, building security before settling on performance tempo.

How to use it

Include one of these songs in a student recital as a palate-cleansing contrast to art song or classical material. They work equally well in a program built entirely around American or international folk traditions, and they're substantial enough to showcase vocal growth without requiring the technical demands of more classical solo repertoire.