Mary, Mary Had-A But One Child: E-flat Alto Saxophone: Choral SoundPax
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PC-0001289_AX1
$3.00
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Description
The opening piano introduction sets the spiritual stage for this solid gospel-style Christmas number. Lots of "hallelujahs" make it a joyful addition to your December concerts. There's an add-on section which develops independent singing. Not hard to put together, always important this time of year.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mary, Mary Had-A But One Child: E-flat Alto Saxophone: Choral SoundPax 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:
24
SKU:
00-PC-0001289_AX1
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
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 earned the Distinguished Alumni award. Early in his career, 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. He is a prolific composer with over 800 choral works in print across all difficulty levels, performed regularly throughout English-speaking countries.
As a writer member of ASCAP, Althouse receives consistent recognition through the ASCAP Special Award for his compositions. He has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored or co-authored several music education resources: The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios. His choral work I Hear America Singing, co-written with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. Althouse currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in North Carolina.
Why we love this
Althouse brings genuine gospel warmth to this Christmas number without overcomplicating the arrangement. The addition section gives singers a real musical challenge while keeping the overall piece accessible for holiday rehearsal schedules, and those hallelujahs land with infectious joy every single time.
What to expect
A burst of warmth and celebration. The gospel harmonies and rhythmic drive create immediate energy, while the piano introduction pulls listeners into a spiritual, contemplative moment before the choir enters with exuberant hallelujahs. The piece feels both grounded in tradition and accessible enough for singers to perform with confidence and joy.
Who it's for
Choirs of mixed abilities performing holiday concerts, particularly those looking for a straightforward, joyful gospel-style piece that builds ensemble cohesion. The SoundPax format makes it ideal for choirs already familiar with recorded accompaniment tracks, and the moderate difficulty level suits high school and community ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the gospel feel during the opening piano introduction so the choir enters with rhythmic confidence and character from the first note.
- Emphasize the independence work in the add-on section through sectional rehearsal; this is where singers develop the ability to maintain their line while others sing contrasting material.
- Lean into the repetition of hallelujahs as a rhythmic and textural device rather than mere filler; shape each phrase so the accumulation feels intentional and celebratory.
How to use it
Place this early in your Christmas concert to establish a joyful, accessible tone that energizes both audience and singers. It pairs naturally with quieter spirituals or classical sacred works, offering contrast through its rhythmic vitality and contemporary gospel language while still honoring the season.
Skills your students will build
- Gospel-style rhythmic precision and syncopation
- Singing independent vocal lines while maintaining ensemble blend
- Clarity and articulation in repetitive hallelujah sections
- Stylistic interpretation specific to African American spiritual and gospel traditions