Go with a Song in Your Heart: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo

The straightforward, affirming message of this piece makes it an ideal concert finale for any program, whether it's celebrating graduation, a spring concert, or simply marking the end of a successful season. Althouse's gift for memorable melody paired with accessible part-writing means your singers will enjoy performing it as much as the audience enjoys hearing it. The optional narration transforms a strong musical statement into something more intimate, allowing you to tailor the experience to your ensemble's personality and your concert's tone.

Warm and genuinely uplifting without a hint of saccharine. The melody carries a quiet certainty, as if the singers are offering a thoughtful blessing rather than making a grand proclamation. There's room for genuine emotion here—the kind that feels honest when a group of voices sings together about carrying music forward.

This piece works beautifully for middle school through adult choirs seeking a meaningful concert closer. Mixed-level groups will find the accessible voicings inclusive, while the optional narration gives less experienced singers another way to participate in a moment that feels special rather than demanding.

• Balance the optional narration carefully with the choral parts. If you choose to include it, rehearse with the speaker so the pacing complements rather than interrupts the musical flow.
• Keep the opening phrases buoyant and clear; these lines set the song's optimistic character and need room to breathe before building toward the fuller sound.
• Use the SSA and 2-part voicings as an opportunity for flexible casting. You might assign parts by age or experience level, or rotate singers through different sections to build confidence across your ensemble.

Reserve this for the final selection of your program, particularly at graduation concerts, spring pops concerts, or year-end celebrations where a reflective, forward-looking message resonates. The optional narration makes it particularly effective as a transition moment—you could dim lights slightly, add a spoken element, and let the piece serve as both musical and emotional punctuation before the audience leaves.

• Blending two or three distinct vocal parts with balanced tone
• Singing with emotional intention and conveying a message through music
• Working with optional narration to coordinate speaking and singing
• Sustaining melodic phrases with natural phrasing and breath control