One Small Step: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0003989
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Opens with a quiet statement of the melody (may be performed by male and female soloists), builds with an inspiring message ('One small step bringing us all a little bit closer."), then ends as gently and quietly as it began. Comfortable ranges, logical part writing, singable melodies, thoughtful text: all the best from Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003989
More about this title
About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral music education for over three decades as a composer, conductor, and clinician with a distinctive focus on integrating movement into choral performance. Her catalog of more than 600 published works and 75 musicals and songbooks reflects her deep understanding of what works in schools and concert halls alike. An ASCAP Special Music Award recipient since 1987, she has conducted honor choirs at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, and served as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications for leading educational music publishers, most recently Alfred Music.
Her academic background in both music and theater informs her approach to choral writing. She holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught in the music departments at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. Among her many honors, Albrecht received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College in 2021, and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.
Why we love this
This piece balances inspiration with accessibility in a way that feels genuine rather than sentimental. The arch form (quiet opening, building middle, gentle close) gives students a clear structural narrative to execute, while the singable melodies and comfortable ranges let even younger singers invest in the message without strain. Albrecht and Althouse have crafted something that works equally well as a standalone concert piece or as part of a larger spring or Earth Day program.
What to expect
Quiet reflection gradually becomes quiet joy. The piece unfolds gently, like watching something small grow into something larger without ever losing its tenderness. There's an earnestness to the melody and text that invites singers to believe in the message they're sharing.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for choirs in grades 4-8 and community groups seeking accessible, meaningful repertoire with an optimistic message. Directors programming graduation, Earth Day, or peace-themed concerts will find the piece both singable and substantive, with enough musicality to satisfy singers who want to perform something genuine.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the quiet opening with intention. Train soloists to establish the melody with clarity and stillness before the full ensemble enters, setting the contemplative mood that frames the entire piece.
- Balance the building section carefully so the ensemble's entrance feels organic rather than sudden. Layer voices gradually as the text develops, allowing the inspiring message to emerge naturally from the musical texture.
- Use any available staging or movement suggestions to deepen the piece's physical expression without overshadowing the singing. The combination of text, melody, and gesture can amplify the message of unity and connection.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for Earth Day or spring concert celebrations, where its message of connection resonates with seasonal renewal themes. The intimate opening and closing make it an effective bridge piece between more energetic numbers, offering audiences a moment of reflection within a larger concert arc.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained phrases with legit tone production in a comfortable range
- Entering and exiting musical ideas with ensemble precision and stylistic unity
- Building and releasing dynamic intensity across a structured musical arc
- Integrating movement and gesture with vocal line to enhance musical meaning