On a December Night: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse's command of accessible yet sophisticated harmony shines here. The 5/4 meter feels organic rather than gimmicky, and the text genuinely captures something specific about winter celebration without relying on familiar carol tropes. Your singers will feel they're performing something contemporary and intentional, not a pastiche.

Luminous and contemplative, with a gentle forward motion that feels earned rather than rushed. The 5/4 setting creates an almost meditative quality, drawing listeners into quiet moments of holiday recognition rather than demanding celebration.

Choirs of intermediate skill seeking contemporary holiday repertoire that avoids cliché. Directors programming winter concerts who want something that feels fresh yet accessible to audiences will find this rewarding at any level from high school to community choirs.

• Establish the 5/4 pulse early in rehearsal by having the choir feel the meter in their bodies before tackling the notes. This groove becomes the foundation for confident, unified singing.
• Layer the accompaniment recording into rehearsals only after the choir is secure with their parts independently. This prevents dependency on the track and builds real ensemble awareness.
• Attend to the evocative text when shaping phrases. Let the imagery of 'sights, sounds, and feelings' inform your dynamic and vocal color choices rather than defaulting to uniform brightness.

Pair this with a more robust, traditional carol to create programming balance. Its reflective character works particularly well as a second or penultimate piece in a concert, giving the audience breathing room before or after more energetic selections.

• reading and performing in 5/4 meter
• maintaining pulse in non-standard time signatures
• interpreting contemporary harmonic language
• singing with text-driven expression and phrasing