In December: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This piece accomplishes something rare: it honors the spiritual and cultural weight of December without naming a single holiday by name. The candle as universal symbol creates space for every singer and listener in your audience, and the text's acknowledgment of both new and old traditions invites genuine reflection rather than rote sentiment. Althouse's melody sits naturally for young voices while the harmonies demand attention, making this both accessible and artistically substantial.

The piece draws you inward. Its melody feels familiar even on first hearing, yet the harmonies beneath it create an understated richness that prevents the music from ever becoming saccharine. You're left with a quiet sense of contemplation, the kind that comes from acknowledging what matters and what endures.

Directors seeking repertoire that honors multiple December observances without privileging any single tradition. This works equally well in school and community choirs with treble or mixed voices, and it engages singers who may feel excluded by repertoire that assumes a single religious or cultural framework.

• Shape the phrasing around the text's natural breath points rather than the bar lines; let the meaning of 'remember' and 'traditions' land with unhurried clarity.
• If using the optional clarinet parts, keep them delicate and supportive rather than prominent; they should enhance the vocal line without competing for attention.
• Consider how your singers are seated or spaced on stage; the pensive quality works best when the audience can see facial expression and feel the intimacy of the writing.
• Experiment with dynamic restraint in rehearsal first. This piece reveals its power through understatement, not volume.

Program this as an anchor for a December concert that celebrates cultural and religious diversity, pairing it with secular songs and pieces from other traditions. Its length and character also make it suitable as a reflective moment between more energetic selections, or as the closing piece of a program centered on winter themes and holiday unity.

• Sustaining tone quality across phrase endings without dropping energy
• Blending two-part harmony while maintaining individual line awareness
• Interpreting text with emotional authenticity rather than literal expression
• Pacing and breath management in lyrical writing