Now Is the Time of Christmas: SAB Choral Octavo

Althouse taps into genuine carol tradition by setting a 16th century English text, which gives this piece an air of authenticity without feeling museum-bound. The SAB voicing sits perfectly for mixed choirs with developing ranges, and the festive character makes it equally effective as a processional opener or a standalone concert moment. Directors will appreciate how cleanly it works for both casual holiday programs and more sophisticated madrigal settings.

Bright and celebratory, with the warmth of old carol tradition shining through contemporary arranging. The text unfolds naturally, inviting singers and listeners into a moment of genuine festivity rather than commercial holiday sentiment. There's an elegance to the voicing that feels both familiar and refined.

This octavo works for mixed choirs at the intermediate level and above. Directors seeking flexible holiday material that bridges both formal concerts and madrigal feasts will find a genuine asset here. It's also accessible enough for beginning three-part mixed singers who want to experience carol tradition without oversimplification.

• Balance the parts carefully in rehearsal; Althouse's writing rewards even blend across all three lines, especially in sections where the melody moves between voices.
• The recorded accompaniment (available separately) can anchor early rehearsals, but encourage singers to find their independence from it well before performance.
• Shape phrases with the carol's natural speech patterns rather than machine-like symmetry; let the text guide your phrasing choices.
• Consider the staging possibilities if you use this as a processional; the festive character supports movement and can frame other holiday pieces effectively.

Program this early in a holiday concert to set a joyful tone, or use it as the opening piece for a processional entrance. It pairs beautifully with other carol-based pieces or madrigal-style selections if you're building a themed program around Renaissance or folk sources. The piece also serves well as a warm, accessible finale for school or community choir concerts seeking something both substantial and celebratory.

• Singing three-part mixed voicing with independent melodic lines
• Interpreting text from historical sources and applying it to musical phrasing
• Balancing harmonic blend across SAB ranges
• Building ensemble cohesion in festive, energetic musical contexts