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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: SATB Choral Octavo

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It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Cover Image
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: SATB Choral Octavo

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: SATB Choral Octavo

Arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-6766IC1X

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Description
We're all familiar with the traditional melodies of the holiday season. A very special group of more contemporary works has also become an important part of our heritage, and this upbeat and inspiring piece is a beautiful example. Jay Althouse presents a very singable treatment of this holiday classic.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 029156214987
SKU: 00-6766IC1X

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. He spent eight years in rights and licensing administration at a major educational publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure.

Althouse has composed over 800 choral works performed widely across English-speaking countries. Beyond composing, he has compiled vocal collections, co-authored instructional books including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and created classroom resources for music teachers. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Althouse served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently contributes to the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse's arrangement strips away unnecessary complexity while preserving the infectious warmth that made this song a modern holiday standard. The SATB voicing sits comfortably for mixed choirs without demanding technical virtuosity, letting singers focus on delivering the joy and optimism embedded in the melody. Eight pages means this works as a standalone concert piece or a bright addition to a larger holiday program.

What to expect

Bright and affirmative, with the kind of melodic accessibility that makes listeners hum along immediately. The arrangement unfolds with genuine warmth, capturing both the nostalgia and present-day familiarity of a piece that has earned its place in the holiday canon.

Who it's for

Mixed choirs of all experience levels who want accessible repertoire with instant audience appeal. Community, church, and school choirs will find this arrangement singable in a single rehearsal block while remaining musically rewarding.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the tempo buoyant and resist the urge to drag; this piece lives in its forward momentum and infectious energy.
  • Balance the four parts so the melody (likely in the soprano line) rings clearly without overwhelming the inner harmony.
  • Encourage singers to connect with the lyrical intent of the text; holiday music thrives when performers believe in what they're singing.
  • Shape phrases with gentle dynamics rather than dramatic swells; the arrangement's effectiveness comes from its natural lyricism.

How to use it

Program this as an opener or closer on a winter concert to establish an uplifting mood, or pair it with other contemporary holiday selections to show how secular seasonal repertoire has evolved. Its eight pages make it ideal for concerts where you want recognizable material that doesn't demand extended rehearsal time.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing SATB voicing with balanced part independence
  • Maintaining melodic line while supporting harmonic structure
  • Interpreting lyrical text in a contemporary choral idiom
  • Responding to phrase shape and dynamic intention

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