Home: SATB Choral Octavo
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0004157
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Captivating in its simplicity, this folk-like melody is arranged simply in a classic, folk song style by Jay Althouse. The piano accompaniment is simple, yet supportive of the singers. What a sentiment for spring concerts: "Here is the place that I call home. Here my heart will ever stay." But yet, "I'll return...I'll return." A breathtakingly beautiful choral work for mixed and treble groups. Perfect for graduation, too.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004157
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 Alumni. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, he has created more than 800 choral works performed widely across the English-speaking world and maintains membership in ASCAP, where he is a regular recipient of the Special Award.
Beyond composition, Althouse has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled and arranged vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored instructional resources for music classrooms. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. Currently based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and contributes to its publications.
Why we love this
Althouse's gift for folk-like simplicity shines here; the melody sits naturally in the voice, the harmonic language supports without overwhelming, and the emotional arc from "here is the place I call home" through the poignant "I'll return" gives singers real dramatic work despite the accessible voicing. The piano part never competes, making this equally rewarding whether your choir is preparing for spring or graduation.
What to expect
Like a quiet moment of reflection set to music. The folk-like melody unfolds with genuine warmth, neither sentimental nor austere, and the harmonic language creates a sense of homecoming. There is longing in the piece too, a bittersweet acknowledgment that home exists both as a place and a memory.
Who it's for
Mixed and treble choirs at any level seeking repertoire with emotional weight but accessible technical demands. This octavo works equally well for high school choirs, community ensembles, and developing collegiate groups looking for something that combines sincerity with straightforward part-writing.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the text with intentionality: the opening declaration of home needs grounding, while the closing refrain about returning should feel both wistful and forward-looking.
- Balance the SATB texture so that the melody remains the focal point; Althouse's arrangement prioritizes clarity over density.
- Let the piano accompaniment breathe; its simplicity is deliberate, and restraint in tempo will allow the lyrical quality to emerge naturally.
- Attend to the dynamics carefully to highlight the emotional journey; use soft dynamics to create intimacy where the text becomes reflective.
How to use it
Pair this with other folk-influenced or seasonal choral works for a spring concert focused on renewal and reflection. Its contemplative nature and graduation-appropriate text make it ideal for senior recognition programs or end-of-year celebrations where you want repertoire that speaks to transition and belonging.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained legato singing across phrases
- Blending in SATB texture with clear part independence
- Emotional storytelling through text-music connection
- Intonation in simple harmonic progressions
- Dynamic shaping to support poetic meaning