One for the Altos: SSA Choral Octavo
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0008026
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A bit of fun, a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor, and a great way to celebrate and feature those loyal and loveable altos!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0008026
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored with the Distinguished Alumni award. His eight years working as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher gave him deep insight into what teachers and directors actually need in their libraries, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure.
As a prolific composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in print across all levels and skill ranges. His compositions are performed widely throughout the English-speaking world, and he is a writer member of ASCAP who regularly receives the ASCAP Special Award for his standard music compositions. Beyond his own work, he has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, edited respected vocal solo collections, and co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in North Carolina.
Why we love this
Althouse understands exactly what makes an alto feature work in the rehearsal room and on stage. The combination of genuine celebration and wry humor creates space for singers to feel both honored and entertained, which is precisely the tone that keeps engagement high during sectional moments. The recorded accompaniment means you can run this effectively even when your piano player is juggling three other pieces that week.
What to expect
Lighthearted and genuinely affectionate, with a wink that makes everyone in the room feel in on the joke. The music has warmth and personality underneath the humor, creating a piece that audiences remember and singers actually enjoy rehearsing.
Who it's for
Directors looking for a piece that genuinely celebrates one section while keeping the whole choir engaged and entertained. This works beautifully for holiday concerts, end-of-year celebrations, or any program where you want to highlight your altos and give the ensemble a moment of joy and laughter.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the humorous tone carefully so the altos feel lifted up rather than mocked. The comedy lands when the ensemble commits sincerely to the musical content underneath the wit.
- Lean into the rhythmic precision during any synchronized alto passages. This sharpens the musical punch and makes the lighter moments land with more impact.
- Give the altos full ownership of the piece in rehearsal by letting them lead the tempo and phrasing decisions first. Their confidence will carry the whole performance.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to free your attention during early rehearsals so you can focus entirely on the alto line and help them find the character you want.
How to use it
Slip this into the second half of a concert where the energy can shift from more serious repertoire into something that lets the audience breathe and smile. It pairs well with other sectional features or character pieces and gives your altos a chance to shine in a way that celebrates their often underappreciated vocal range and musicality.
Skills your students will build
- Committing to character and storytelling within a piece
- Balancing humor with musical integrity
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion while one section takes the spotlight
- Clear diction and text projection for comedic effect