My Way Back Home: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: My Way Back Home: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-20123
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-20123

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A simple piano introduction opens this melodic masterpiece: "I may wander far and wide with the stars my only guide, but I will find my way back home." The sentiment is as touching as the music, which could be described, stylistically, as an original folk song. It's simplicity is the source of its power and emotion. There are two optional solos to showcase your best singers. Could become a classic for your graduation and end-of-year concerts.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, My Way Back Home: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081186870

SKU: 00-20123

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse studied Music Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning both his B.S. and M.Ed. before receiving the university's Distinguished Alumni award. His eight-year tenure as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher gave him deep insight into how choral music reaches classrooms and concert halls, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that period.

With more than 800 compositions in print, Althouse has established himself as a prolific voice in choral writing across all levels. His work appears regularly in English-speaking countries, and he holds ASCAP membership with consistent recognition through the organization's Special Award. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored widely-used classroom resources. Althouse currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

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Why we love this

The restraint here is what makes it work. Rather than embellishing a folk idiom with complex harmonies or extended technique, Althouse lets the melody and lyrical sentiment carry everything, trusting your singers and audience to feel the weight of those simple lines. The optional solos create natural showcasing moments without asking for virtuosity, making this equally powerful whether you feature your strongest vocalist or rotate the role among interested singers.

What to expect

Like listening to someone share a quiet truth around a campfire. The melody unfolds with the unhurried clarity of a folk ballad, while the harmonies gently support rather than surprise. There's vulnerability in the simplicity and genuine warmth in the sentiment.

Who it's for

Choirs preparing graduation or end-of-year concerts benefit most from this piece, where its reflective tone and gentle hopefulness resonate with students marking transitions. It works equally well for community choirs and church ensembles seeking accessible yet emotionally substantive repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the piano introduction as an intimate moment before the choir enters; resist the urge to rush it, and let the accompanist establish the folk song's contemplative character
Balance the verse melody so the text remains crystal clear; the beauty lives in the directness of "I will find my way back home," not in blending it away
If you assign the optional solos, consider rehearsing them in full section first so the choir hears how they integrate with the four-part texture before isolating individual singers
End with space and stillness rather than cutting off abruptly; let the final harmonic resolution settle into the room

How to use it

Program this as a closing piece for year-end concerts, where its themes of finding one's way feel especially fitting for departing students or ensemble members. The piece also pairs well on programs mixing traditional and contemporary seasonal repertoire, anchoring the second half with something reflective that gives audiences breathing room.