I Have a Voice: SAB Choral Octavo

Althouse has crafted a piece that speaks directly to the developmental stage of singers learning to stand confidently in mixed voices. The SAB voicing sits comfortably for students still building independence, while the message itself—about finding and expressing your voice—resonates genuinely with young people rather than feeling didactic or forced. The inclusion of movement and staging options means you're not just singing about agency; your students are embodying it.

The piece radiates warmth and genuine encouragement without veering into saccharine territory. There's a lift to the melody and harmony that makes singers feel uplifted rather than burdened, and the text's call to solidarity—inviting others to join in—creates a sense of communal joy that feels earned rather than manufactured.

This octavo reaches choirs at the point where they're ready for three-part writing but still benefit from accessible, singable voicing. It works beautifully in middle school and early high school settings, as well as community choirs and youth ensembles seeking contemporary repertoire with meaningful text.

• Balance the soprano and alto lines carefully during the main melody; these parts often carry the tune, so avoid letting the soprano dominate at the expense of the alto counterline.
• Work the rhythmic unisons as a group before splitting into parts. Locking in together on the rhythmic foundation makes the harmonic enters sharper and more cohesive.
• If you use the recorded accompaniment, rehearse without it first so singers own the phrasing and expression rather than simply following along.
• Lean into the text's affirmation. The emotional honesty of this piece depends on singers understanding that they're celebrating genuine self-expression, not performing a generic feel-good message.

Program this as a closing piece on a concert celebrating student voices or as a standalone moment that shifts the emotional temperature of your program. Its uplifting character pairs well on a program that includes works of substance elsewhere, allowing it to send audiences out feeling connected to your choir's humanity. The movement and staging options also make it a natural fit for a school assembly or evening where you want to engage beyond traditional concert seating.

• Singing three-part mixed voicing (SAB) with secure part independence
• Text expression and connecting lyrical meaning to musical phrasing
• Coordination of singing with movement and staging
• Blend and balance in contemporary choral writing
• Confidence in exposed vocal moments within ensemble context