He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother: TBB Choral Octavo
Arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0002102
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
An exceptional song of brotherhood skillfully arranged by Jay Althouse. Opens with an optional alto solo and builds with strong choral writing, closing with a soft, final statement of the title. Use it as an inspirational piece the year 'round, including graduation. If you liked "Let There Be Peace On Earth," you'll love HE AIN'T HEAVY, HE IS MY BROTHER.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0002102
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later recognized as a Distinguished Alumni. He spent eight years in the educational music publishing industry as a rights and licenses administrator and served a term on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, he has over 800 choral works in circulation, performed widely across English-speaking countries.
Althouse is an ASCAP writer member and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award for his compositions. Beyond his choral output, he has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections, and authored educational resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, Ready to Read Music, and Sixty Music Quizzes. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Why we love this
Althouse's arrangement respects the song's emotional core while creating a distinctly choral experience. The optional alto solo at the opening gives you flexibility in casting, and the architecture builds naturally from that vulnerable moment to full choral statement before settling into a tender finale. This is the kind of piece that works equally well at a spring concert or a graduation ceremony because it speaks to something genuine about human connection.
What to expect
Warmth and sincerity. The opening solo creates intimacy, drawing the listener close before the choir joins with honest, straightforward harmonies. By the end, you're left with a quiet affirmation of belonging and mutual care, the kind of feeling that lingers after the final note.
Who it's for
This arrangement works for mixed choirs performing in flexible voicing options (TB, TTB, TBB, or TTBB). Directors looking for a secular piece that feels both contemporary and timeless will find a strong concert choice here. It suits programs emphasizing themes of unity and connection, from spring concerts to graduation ceremonies.
How to get the most out of it
- Feature the optional alto solo with a singer who can convey vulnerability and intimacy; this moment sets the emotional tone for everything that follows.
- Shape the dynamic build carefully so the choral sections feel like a natural expansion rather than a sudden shift in texture.
- Balance the upper and lower voices in the full sections; strong bass and baritone presence anchors the brotherhood message.
- Approach the final statement of the title with restraint; softness here carries more weight than volume.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece in a program about community or as a natural fit alongside other contemporary secular choral pieces. It works especially well late in a graduation concert, where it can acknowledge both the joy and the weight of transition. Its accessibility makes it a strong choice for mixed-level choirs seeking repertoire that challenges without overwhelming.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained unison and blended harmony across multiple vocal lines
- Responding to dynamic changes and shape within a single phrase
- Balancing ensemble sound when a solo voice transitions to full choir
- Conveying emotional sincerity through restrained vocal production