Follow That Star: SSA Choral Octavo

Althouse writes processionals that sound far richer than their difficulty level suggests. The modal harmonies and open intervals here are genuinely singable for SSA ensembles while delivering that luminous, transparent quality that defines the season. Pair that with optional light instrumentation, and you have an opening number that feels ceremonial without demanding weeks of rehearsal.

The piece unfolds with a stately, processional gait. Modal harmonies create an almost plainsong quality—open, luminous, and slightly mysterious rather than warmly major key. This is contemplative holiday music with liturgical dignity, the kind that slows a room into reverence as singers move through space.

This works beautifully for SSA choirs of developing to intermediate ability who need accessible but sounding music for holiday or worship programming. It suits school choruses, church choirs, and community ensembles looking to open a concert with something that feels substantial yet remains technically manageable.

• Let the treble voices find a comfortable, floating tone in the upper register rather than pushing for volume. The open intervals will project naturally without tension.
• If using the SoundPax accompaniment, balance it carefully so the choral lines remain the focal point. The instrumentation should enhance, not overshadow.
• Establish a deliberate processional tempo that allows singers to move with confidence while maintaining the piece's contemplative character.
• Mark the modal areas where singers might instinctively seek major-key tonality. Encourage them to trust the color those intervals create rather than 'correcting' them toward traditional harmony.

Reserve this for your concert opener, particularly if your program will include more elaborate or dramatic pieces afterward. The processional format makes it ideal for literal staging: singers entering from the back, moving forward while singing. It also serves well in worship services where the musical solemnity matches the season's spiritual focus.

• Reading and singing modal harmonies (particularly those without a major or minor tonal center)
• Sustaining clear tone across open intervals without rushing or tightening
• Maintaining ensemble blend in treble voicing when harmonic movement is subtle
• Coordinating singing with processional movement and staging