Now Is the Time of Christmas: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse grounds this piece in genuine textual history while keeping the musical language approachable for mixed choirs at any performance level. The festive character works equally well as a concert opener, a processional moment, or a standalone holiday feature, giving directors genuine flexibility in how they program it. The SoundTrax accompaniment recording lets groups focus on balancing voices and capturing the carol's inherent warmth without requiring accompanist availability.

This piece radiates the warmth of a familiar carol without feeling nostalgic or overly sentimental. The festive character invites singers to enjoy the text and melody together, creating a convivial rather than reverent mood.

Mixed-voice choirs seeking accessible yet musically satisfying holiday material will find this octavo a natural fit. It works equally well for church choirs planning seasonal services, school choirs adding to a winter concert, or ensemble singers preparing for madrigal-style events.

• Treat the 16th century text as a bridge between traditional carol style and contemporary choral writing. The language should feel natural and conversational rather than archaic.
• Reference the recorded accompaniment during sectional rehearsals to establish harmonic foundation, but practice unaccompanied runs as well to build voice independence and blend.
• Shape phrases with gentle forward motion; avoid heavy, plodding pacing that works against the piece's festive energy.
• Balance the ensemble texture carefully if using the full accompaniment. The recording can easily mask weaker vocal parts, so use it judiciously in rehearsal to catch balance issues before switching it on.

Consider opening a holiday concert with this piece to set a celebratory tone, or position it as an interlude between heavier works. Its processional quality also makes it ideal for entrance or transition moments in a concert program. Choirs performing multiple holiday events across a season will appreciate material that reads fresh enough to perform multiple times without fatigue.

• Phrasing control in secular choral writing
• Blend and balance in mixed-voice textures
• Expressive interpretation of historical English text
• Rhythmic security while following accompaniment