Have You Heard? (A Christmas Spiritual): 3-Part Mixed, a cappella Choral Octavo
A Christmas Spiritual
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0003792
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"Have you heard the story of the baby boy, born in Bethlehem?" From that simple question Jay Althouse has crafted another superb, original Christmas spiritual. It features contrasting dynamics (excellent for teaching phrasing), male and female solos, and a tender middle section which contrasts with the hushed excitement of the opening and closing melody. Includes a descant on the final chorus. A cappella.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0003792
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 later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. His early career included eight years as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher, during which he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
As a composer, Althouse has created more than 800 choral works performed across the English-speaking world. His output spans choral literature at every level, vocal solo collections, collaborations with his wife Sally K. Albrecht on children's musicals, and numerous educational resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and classroom reproducibles. A writer member of ASCAP, he regularly receives the ASCAP Special Award for his compositions. He resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse crafts spirituals that teach ensemble singing without sacrificing genuine musical substance. The contrasting dynamics and phrasing opportunities built into this piece give your choir room to grow, while the solo sections and descant keep singers engaged across different ability levels and voice ranges.
What to expect
The piece begins with intimate storytelling, drawing listeners into the nativity narrative through a simple, direct melodic question. As dynamics and texture build toward the final chorus, the addition of the descant creates luminous fullness, capturing both the tenderness of the moment and the joy of the proclamation.
Who it's for
Choirs new to three-part writing will find SAB voicing approachable while still offering interesting harmonic content. Directors seeking an a cappella Christmas piece that develops musical maturity and phrasing awareness will appreciate how Althouse balances accessibility with artistry.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening melody with careful attention to breath placement; the 'hushed excitement' Althouse describes comes from sustained tone and deliberate dynamic control rather than rushing the text.
- Highlight the textural contrast between the tender middle section and the bookended verses by adjusting vowel resonance and blend, not just volume.
- Balance the male and female solos in rehearsal separately, then integrate them so the soloists feel supported by the full ensemble without being buried.
- Use the descant on the final chorus as a climactic moment; prepare it in isolation first, then layer it in so it crowns the phrase rather than competing with the main melody.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a lighter moment in a mixed Christmas concert, offering contrast to more elaborate seasonal works. Its moderate length and a cappella nature make it ideal for holiday services, informal seasonal performances, or as part of a choral suite focused on spirituals and sacred traditions.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing and dynamic control in a cappella settings
- Blend and balance with solo writing embedded in ensemble texture
- Independent part singing in three-part mixed voicing
- Harmonic awareness through attention to inner voices
- Text expression and storytelling in sacred repertoire