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I Have a Voice: SSA Choral Octavo

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I Have a Voice Cover Image
I Have a Voice: SSA Choral Octavo

I Have a Voice: SSA Choral Octavo

Words and music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-35609
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Description
No matter where we go or who we are, we should feel free to sing our own song---and others are welcome to join in. "And I'll be there to guide you through." A joyous and uplifting choral for all ages. Featured on Showbiz! choral movement DVD (00-35858).

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Have a Voice: SSA Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081398051
SKU: 00-35609

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni. His career spans both publishing and composition; for eight years he worked as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.

As a composer, Althouse has written more than 800 choral works performed widely across English-speaking countries. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a consistent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond his original compositions, he has co-created children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, edited vocal solo collections, co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and written classroom resources including Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 inauguration. Althouse serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in North Carolina.

Why we love this

Althouse crafts an anthem about self-expression that resonates across age groups without feeling preachy. The SSA voicing and movement integration make it accessible for middle school through adult choirs, while the straightforward message about belonging invites genuine emotional investment from singers who might otherwise resist repertoire with an explicit theme.

What to expect

Uplifting and earnest, with a conversational quality that feels personal rather than performative. The melody invites singers to inhabit the text genuinely, and the harmonic support feels warm and encouraging rather than complex or demanding.

Who it's for

This piece works for middle school, high school, and adult SSA or SSAA choirs seeking repertoire with a positive message and contemporary sensibility. Directors looking for material that builds confidence in young singers and creates a joyful, inclusive concert moment will find strong material here.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the dynamic shifts between sections. The contrasts between intimate moments and fuller passages create momentum and keep the piece from settling into one emotional register.
  • Explore the movement and staging suggestions in the score; Althouse designed this with physical expression in mind, and incorporating gesture amplifies the piece's message about voice and presence.
  • Balance transparency in the lower voice parts. SSA writing can bury the alto line if the sopranos dominate; ensure each voice part has clarity so the harmonic foundation stays visible.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to establish the groove and style, then work toward confident singing without it so the voices feel independent and assured.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer or anchor in a set exploring themes of identity and community. The affirmative tone and accessibility make it an ideal selection for mixed-age performances, spring concerts, or events celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining legit, open tone production across a full phrase
  • Blending three-part harmony while maintaining individual voice clarity
  • Coordinating singing with purposeful movement and staging
  • Interpreting text-driven expression and emotional intention
  • Building confidence in unison and ensemble singing

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