Hodie: A Christmas Fanfare: Choral SoundPax

Althouse takes a 14th-century melody and reinvents it with modern harmonic language and structural sophistication. The arrangement builds genuine excitement through strategic modulations and flexible scoring that works beautifully as a choir-only piece or transforms into something grander with the optional brass parts.

Strong, declarative, and architecturally satisfying. The opening block chords establish weight and gravitas immediately, while the rising modulations create forward momentum and a sense of building celebration without ever sacrificing the reverent quality of the medieval text.

This arrangement serves choirs of intermediate to advanced ability who want substantial repertoire with seasonal relevance and musical depth. Directors programming December concerts will appreciate both a piece that respects the ancient melody and one that feels contemporary in its harmonic language and energy.

• Balance the opening block chords so they land with clarity and weight rather than blurring together; clarity articulation in the rhythm section will define the harmonic movement.
• Shape the unison passages with dynamic intention; they should feel like confident focal points, not transitions between the fuller choral sections.
• If adding brass, let each modulation breathe slightly to allow the new key area to register with the audience before building energy into the next section.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock ensemble pacing during early rehearsals, then gradually reduce reliance on it to strengthen choir independence.

Position this as your program's centerpiece rather than an opening or closing piece, or use it to bridge a traditional first half with a more contemporary second half. Its command of space and harmonic movement makes it an excellent anchor for a Christmas concert that mixes styles and periods.

• Singing full four-part harmony with clear voicing and blend
• Moving fluidly between unison and harmonic writing
• Reading and performing modulations (specifically rising key changes)
• Balancing block chord sonorities for clarity and resonance
• Interpreting bilingual text (English and Latin) with appropriate phrasing