Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo
Traditional Spiritual / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000530
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
The strength of this steady, walking-tempo spiritual comes from the powerful dynamic contrasts and solid choral writing. Features brief descant-style female solos. The optional hand drum adds a rhythmic pulse.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000530
More about this title
About the Arranger: 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. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licensing for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
As a composer, Althouse has published more than 800 choral works performed across the English-speaking world. He is an ASCAP writer member and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal solo collections, and authored educational resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and classroom materials for music literacy. His collaborative work I Hear America Singing was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's inauguration in 2009. Althouse resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
The dynamic architecture here rewards careful rehearsal and creates genuine impact in performance. Althouse's arrangement respects the spiritual's inherent power while the optional hand drum gives directors a simple tool to heighten rhythmic presence without overcomplicating the texture.
What to expect
This is a spiritual that breathes. The steady walking pulse creates forward momentum while dynamic peaks and valleys keep the ear engaged. Solo moments emerge organically from the ensemble, and if the hand drum is included, the rhythmic anchor deepens the sense of purpose and tradition.
Who it's for
SSA choirs at the high school, community, and collegiate level will find this arrangement accessible yet substantial. Directors seeking a spiritual with built-in variety and solo opportunities for featured singers will appreciate the descant writing and the optional hand drum that allows flexible instrumentation.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the dynamic contrasts deliberately. Mark your crescendos and decrescendos in rehearsal so singers understand where the arrangement builds tension and where it releases.
- Balance the descant-style solos so they sit above the harmonic foundation without straining. These moments are intimate and should feel conversational, not strained.
- If using the hand drum, establish a clear, steady pulse in early rehearsals and lock it with your bottom voice parts before adding upper voices and solos.
- The walking tempo holds the piece together. Conduct with clarity and consistency; this spiritual gains power through groove, not through rushing or dragging.
How to use it
Pair this with other African American sacred traditions or use it as the emotional anchor in a concert exploring American spiritual music. It works equally well in a sacred choral concert or a festival where its concert and contest appeal will shine.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping and executing dynamic contrasts at a cappella
- Balancing solo lines against full ensemble harmonies
- Sustaining intonation and blend in a walking-tempo spiritual
- Responding to optional rhythmic accompaniment (hand drum) without losing harmonic independence