One Star: SAB Choral Octavo

Name: One Star: SAB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-16364
Price: 2.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Item: 00-16364

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A "walking tempo" Christmas piece, reminiscent of "The Little Drummer Boy". The simple oft-repeated melody builds with successive half step modulatios before ending with a solo or unison statement of the melody fading into the distance. Solo drum/finger cymbal part is effective and included in the publication.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 038081142593

SKU: 00-16364

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has shaped American choral music for over three decades, first as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at major educational publishers including Alfred Music, then as a prolific composer and clinician. Since 1987, she has received the ASCAP Special Music Award annually and maintains over 600 choral publications in print alongside 75 larger works for stage and ensemble. Her work with choral movement and her leadership of honor choirs at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center have established her as a trusted voice in accessible, singable choral writing.

Albrecht earned her B.A. from Rollins College in Music and Theater, followed by an M.A. in Drama and an M.M. in Accompanying from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. She has taught in music departments at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. In 2021, she received Distinguished Alumna Awards from both the University of Miami and Rollins College. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse.

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Why we love this

The recurring melody paired with successive half-step modulatios creates forward momentum without requiring complex harmonic literacy from your singers. The optional solo drum and finger cymbal part gives you a genuine orchestration tool that engages instrumental musicians and adds textural depth without overwhelming an SAB ensemble.

What to expect

A steady, processional walk through a quiet Christmas moment, each verse gaining strength as the melody climbs higher by half step. The instrumental percussion creates an almost hypnotic pulse while the voices grow and settle, evoking both intimate reflection and gentle celebration.

Who it's for

SAB choirs looking for a Christmas piece that works for mixed or developing ensembles without sacrificing musical interest or seasonal freshness. Directors who appreciate the "Little Drummer Boy" aesthetic will find this a natural fit for holiday concerts, especially those seeking something beyond standard carols.

How to get the most out of it

Maintain the walking tempo throughout all modulations; the ascending keys should feel inevitable rather than labored, so a solid conductor's pulse matters more than pushing the tempo.
Bring out the drum and finger cymbal part in rehearsal as a separate voice; even a single percussionist can define the groove and help singers lock into the piece's rhythmic character.
Shape the final solo or unison statement with gradual dynamic reduction to suggest distance, treating the fade-out as a compositional gesture rather than an afterthought.

How to use it

Position this as a mood piece in your holiday concert, perhaps early in the second half to shift energy after brighter or more elaborate numbers. Its accessible vocal writing makes it ideal for December assemblies or informal indoor concerts where your singers need to deliver something musically compelling without weeks of intense preparation.