Hodie: A Christmas Fanfare: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse's setting transforms a medieval melody into something immediately engaging without sacrificing its liturgical authority. The combination of unison passages and full four-part writing gives you natural points of rest and energy, while the rising modulations provide genuine dramatic lift that feels earned rather than forced. With optional brass parts and the included SoundTrax accompaniment, you have real flexibility in how much instrumental color to add.

Strong, grounded, and luminous. The medieval melody anchors the piece while the harmonies and modulations push it forward with purpose. There's a sense of both reverence and celebration, as if ancient and contemporary voices are singing together.

This works beautifully for mixed choirs of intermediate ability and above who want substantive Christmas repertoire beyond the familiar. It serves directors looking for a piece that honors tradition while offering modern choral writing and programming flexibility.

• Shape the opening block chords with careful dynamic control; they should feel majestic, not stiff. This sets the tone for the entire piece.
• Balance the English and Latin text sections clearly so both languages land with equal weight and clarity for your audience.
• Prepare each modulation by lifting slightly into the new key rather than treating it as a sudden shift. This keeps the architecture of the piece visible.
• If adding brass parts, introduce them gradually through the arrangement rather than all at once; let instrumental color build alongside the choral writing.

Pair this with other sacred or seasonal works to create a substantial first half for a December concert, or use it as a centerpiece that frames lighter or more secular pieces around it. The balance of unison and full writing makes it an excellent opener that establishes both the choir's foundation and its range.

• Singing English and Latin text with clarity and proper pronunciation
• Navigating rising modulations and maintaining pitch stability across key changes
• Blending block chord writing with clear individual voice independence
• Responding to recorded accompaniment while maintaining ensemble cohesion