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Nightingale: SSAA Choral Octavo

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Nightingale: SSAA Choral Octavo

Nightingale: SSAA Choral Octavo

Words and music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-47521
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Description
A hushed a cappella opening in rich harmony immediately captures the ear. The flowing piano joins just before two brief optional solos introduce the beloved nightingale and her tuneful melody. Expressive singing and vocal artistry are encouraged by the gentle ebb and flow of tempo.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Nightingale: SSAA 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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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081542140
SKU: 00-47521

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

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 administration and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licensing for a major educational publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, Althouse has created more than 800 choral works performed widely across the English-speaking world, earning regular ASCAP Special Awards for his contributions to standard music repertoire.

Beyond composition, Althouse has shaped music education through numerous collaborations and publications. He co-wrote several children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, curated respected vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and co-authored influential pedagogical books such as The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His work extends to classroom resources and advocacy; he served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently sits on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America. Althouse and his wife collaborated on I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration.

Why we love this

Althouse crafts this piece with sophisticated harmonic language that feels both accessible and genuinely expressive. The optional solos give you flexibility in how you feature voices while the opening a cappella moment establishes an intimate tone that draws audiences in immediately, making it equally effective in concert or festival settings.

What to expect

The music opens with a hushed intimacy, drawing listeners into a private moment. The flowing melodic line evokes the nightingale itself; the piece breathes and shifts with natural flexibility, inviting singers to shape phrases with the kind of freedom and artistry typically found in solo performance.

Who it's for

This piece suits treble choirs seeking repertoire that showcases harmonic sophistication without excessive difficulty. It works well for groups preparing concert or festival programs and for singers ready to engage with expressive interpretation and intonation challenges that come with rich a cappella writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the opening a cappella balance before the piano enters; the rich harmony depends on each voice part being present and present without dominating.
  • Work the tempo flexibility gradually in rehearsal so singers understand where and why the pulse shifts, rather than treating it as unpredictable rubato.
  • Bring out the optional solos clearly when you choose to use them; they provide textural contrast and a natural focal point for listener attention.
  • Shape phrases through dynamic contour rather than constant loudness; the description of 'gentle ebb and flow' suggests restraint and sensitivity across the entire arc.

How to use it

Position this as a moment of contrast and artistic depth within a concert, perhaps following more energetic or rhythmically driven pieces. Its eight pages and gentle character make it an excellent choice for festival competition or a sophisticated encore that showcases your choir's sensitivity and blend.

Skills your students will build

  • A cappella balance and blend in four-part harmony
  • Shaping dynamic contour through longer phrases
  • Responding to flexible tempo and expressive conducting gestures
  • Sustaining intonation in rich harmonic contexts
  • Optional solo performance and featured voice techniques

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