La Musica (The Music): SATB Choral Octavo
(The Music)
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0002208
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
With all the scintillating energy of Cuba in the 1960's, La Música is a hot, hot, hot number from contemporary composer Jay Althouse. Built upon a hypnotic rhythmic pulse, smooth Latin harmonies, and a haunting melody, this cross-cultural number combines English text with a few Spanish phrases to remind us that music is "a world we share." If you liked Jay's ¡Cantar! and Oye la Música, you don't want to miss this exciting sequel. Perform with the authentic sounding SoundTrax or create your own Latin combo with the optional SoundPax. Featured on "On with the Show!" video, #21799.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0002208
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 with the Distinguished Alumni award. His eight-year tenure as a rights and licenses administrator at a major educational music publisher included service on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
With over 800 choral compositions in print, Althouse's works span ensembles at all levels and enjoy consistent performance across the English-speaking world. He holds membership in ASCAP and regularly receives the ASCAP Special Award for his compositions. Beyond his prolific output as a composer, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections, co-authored foundational texts including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and contributed reproducible classroom resources. His collaborative work with Albrecht, I Hear America Singing, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. Althouse resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse delivers genuine rhythmic propulsion here, not just rhythmic decoration. The Latin groove sits underneath accessible four-part voicing, which means your singers can focus on locking into the pocket rather than struggling with chromatic voice leading. Programming a piece that actually swings this hard at the high school or community choir level remains rare.
What to expect
Havana heat meets modern choral writing. The piece pulses with the kinetic energy of 1960s Cuban music while remaining rooted in accessible four-part harmony. A haunting melody floats above the rhythmic foundation, creating space for emotional moments within an otherwise propulsive, joy-filled soundscape.
Who it's for
High school and community choirs seeking contemporary material with genuine cross-cultural resonance and authentic groove. Directors programming multicultural concerts or looking to expand beyond the standard secular Christmas and show tune rotation will find this an energetic, singable option that doesn't sacrifice musicality for accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the clave rhythm in rehearsal before tackling harmony. Have the ensemble clap the hypnotic pulse together for several repetitions; once that locks, the choral parts fall into place more naturally.
- Balance the Spanish phrases and English text with equal clarity. These languages have different rhythmic feels, so isolate the Spanish sections for diction work and make sure the melodic shape remains audible across the transition.
- If using the SoundTrax accompaniment, listen through it once as a full ensemble before sectionals so singers understand the harmonic context and instrumental colors they're joining.
- Shape the "smooth Latin harmonies" by resisting overstatement. These voicings are already rich; let them breathe rather than forcing dynamic changes onto them.
How to use it
Position this as the centerpiece of a spring concert exploring Latin and Caribbean musical traditions, pairing it with folk arrangements or other contemporary Latin-influenced repertoire. Its infectious energy also makes it ideal for opening a set after a solemn work, giving the audience a moment to reset and settle into a different mood.
Skills your students will build
- Latin rhythm and clave patterns
- Singing with rhythmic precision over a hypnotic groove
- Code-switching between English and Spanish text with idiomatic phrasing
- Maintaining harmonic balance in thick contemporary voicings
- Responding to cross-cultural musical influences with authentic interpretation