Gloria In Excelsis: SAB Choral Octavo

Name: Gloria In Excelsis: SAB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-4762
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-4762

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A hushed choral opening explodes with excitement when the piano enters at measure 12. Full of energy and vitality which drive to a powerful climax. Mixes traditional Latin with a secular English text. Dramatic dynamic changes and a powerful (but not difficult) piano part guarantee success. For concerts, contests and festivals.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Gloria In Excelsis: SAB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081004679

SKU: 00-4762

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. His career spans both music publishing and composition; he spent eight years in rights and licensing administration for a major educational publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.

With over 800 choral compositions in print, Althouse has established himself as one of the most performed choral composers in the English-speaking world. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-created children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal solo collections, and authored widely-used educational resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and classroom materials for music literacy. His choral work "I Hear America Singing," co-written with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009.

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Why we love this

The architectural brilliance of this piece lies in its dramatic contrast: a whispered opening that suddenly ignites when the piano enters at measure 12, immediately engaging an audience and rewarding your choir's control. The combination of Latin and English text creates a sophisticated blend that feels both accessible and weighty, while the piano writing is energetic without becoming unmanageable, allowing focus to remain on the choral line even in rehearsals with developing accompanists.

What to expect

The opening whispers like a secret about to be shared, then the piano ignites with infectious energy that propels the piece forward. A sense of building momentum carries through to a powerful final statement, leaving both singers and listeners exhilarated and satisfied.

Who it's for

This piece works well for mixed choirs of developing singers (around grades 6-8 or community choir level). The three-part SAB voicing is accessible without sacrificing musical substance, and the dramatic arc will engage singers who are ready to explore more expressive, layered music.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening section with precise breath control and legit messa di voce on sustained notes to maximize the hush before the piano entrance; this contrast will make the measure 12 shift feel genuinely explosive.
Mark every dynamic change in your score during rehearsal and practice the transitions between them with the same care you would give to intonation, since the piece's drama depends on executing these shifts cleanly.
Balance the piano part carefully during rehearsals; it should propel the harmony without drowning the SAB voices, especially during the climactic sections.

How to use it

This is an excellent choice for a concert moment that needs both contrast and impact; place it after something lyrical or slower to showcase the dramatic piano entrance, or use it as a high-energy selection in a festival or competition program where its blend of tradition and modern vitality will stand out.