Kyrie: SAB Choral Octavo
By Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000761
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
An opening duet leads the way into this lush and musical concert setting of the traditional "Kyrie" text. Beautiful melodies and rich harmonies will make this a favorite any time of year. Excellent choice for festival and contest use. Accompaniment included on PianoTrax 1 CD (00-31028).
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0000761
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumni. Early in his career, he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational publisher, serving on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure. As a composer, Althouse has created more than 800 choral works performed worldwide, earning multiple ASCAP Special Awards for his contributions to standard music composition.
Beyond composition, Althouse has shaped music education through co-authored resources like The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, as well as classroom materials including Ready to Read Music and Sixty Music Quizzes. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, a work performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. Based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, he has contributed to the Folk Art Society of America and remains active in the choral music community.
Why we love this
Althouse opens with a duet that draws listeners in before blossoming into full choral texture, creating an elegant arc that holds attention from the first note. The SAB voicing balances accessibility with musical substance, making this setting achievable for developing choirs without sacrificing the lush harmonic language that makes concert performances memorable. Festival judges consistently respond to pieces with this combination of melodic beauty and structural clarity.
What to expect
This setting unfolds with genuine warmth, beginning with an intimate duet before the full choir enters to create depth and resonance. The rich harmonies feel grounded and contemplative, never overwrought, making it approachable for singers while remaining rewarding for listeners.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced choirs seeking a sacred work with substance and appeal. Both high school and community choirs will find this within reach musically while remaining sophisticated enough for festival and contest settings.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening duet carefully so the upper two voices project without overwhelming the accompaniment; this moment sets the tone for everything that follows.
- Shape longer phrases with subtle dynamic contours rather than maintaining a static level throughout, which will keep the harmonies from sounding static.
- Give soloists rehearsal time to establish confidence on the duet section before the full choir enters, so the transition feels seamless rather than abrupt.
- Let the accompaniment support the choir's voicing; the piano part should never push the singers off their pitch center.
How to use it
Program this as an opening for a choral concert or as a centerpiece in a sacred music set where it can anchor the emotional tone. Its festival-ready polish makes it ideal for competition programs, and its accessibility means rehearsal time can focus on artistry rather than technical survival.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing blend within SAB voicing across sustained harmony passages
- Executing smooth part entries and transitions between solo and full choir textures
- Shaping lyrical phrases with expressive direction in a cappella or accompanied sections
- Reading and interpreting dynamic and tempo markings for stylistically appropriate performance