Joy: A Medley of Carols: Guitar
Arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PC-0016165_G
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Description
This dynamic holiday medley opens with a soulful solo on "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," then launches into driving, rhythmic renditions of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," and "O Come All Ye Faithful." But the pièce de résistance is the clever and innovative adaptation of "Joy to the World" used to finish the 4-minute medley. Just one example: a brief "Swingle" style section. It's inventive, it's fresh, and it's perfect for your December concerts. Available in editions for groups of all ages. Superb SoundTrax CD or add live instruments.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Joy: A Medley of Carols: Guitar 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:
26
SKU:
00-PC-0016165_G
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse studied music education and music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. His work in educational music publishing for eight years included serving on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America, giving him deep insight into what choirs need and how they learn.
As a composer, Althouse has created more than 800 choral works performed across the English-speaking world. He holds membership in ASCAP and is a regular recipient of their Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal collections, authored pedagogical resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and contributed to the Folk Art Society of America's publications. His work includes I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration.
Why we love this
Althouse transforms four beloved carols into something genuinely fresh without sacrificing their essence. The Swingle-style reimagining of "Joy to the World" alone makes this worth programming, and the arc from intimate solo storytelling into energetic group singing creates the kind of moment that makes December concerts memorable for both singers and audiences.
What to expect
The medley opens with intimate vulnerability, then shifts into propulsive joy with driving rhythms and clever harmonies. The Swingle-style section brings a modern, almost playful energy to familiar words, landing somewhere between reverent and exuberant by the final chord.
Who it's for
This works for choirs across experience levels, from middle school through adult ensembles. The medley format allows you to showcase different vocal textures and arrange singers strategically, so both strong musicians and developing singers find moments to shine.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening solo carefully so it carries emotional weight before the ensemble enters. The contrast between solitude and full group will land harder if the first voice sounds intentional and grounded.
- Nail the rhythmic drive in "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." These sections demand precision from the rhythm section and clarity of articulation throughout the choir; a sloppy rhythm undercuts the energy Althouse has built.
- Pay close attention to the Swingle section's part independence. It requires singers to think horizontally about their own line while maintaining awareness of how other voices interlock; rehearse each part separately first, then layer them in.
- Use the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to lock tempos and establish the groove, then transition to live instruments well before performance to adjust blend and response time.
How to use it
Open your December concert with this piece to set an energetic, contemporary tone, or close the first half with it to send the audience into intermission with momentum. The four-minute length fits neatly between longer choral works and gives you room to program chamber arrangements or smaller ensemble pieces alongside it.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with rhythmic precision and independence in Swingle-style overlapping lines
- Balancing solo work with ensemble responsibility
- Sustaining energy and vocal clarity across shifting tempos and styles
- Interpreting familiar melodies in fresh arrangements without losing their core identity