Oye la Música (Hear the Music): 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0003149
$2.05
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Description
Jay Althouse follows up his cross-cultural ¡Cantar! with another exciting choral work in Afro-Cuban style. The text (mostly in English, except for two brief Spanish phrases) reminds us that music is everywhere."I hear the rhythm of life in music. I hear the rhythm of life in song." An authentic salsa work for choir with a rhythmically infectious melody. Exiting choral music for all ages. Authentic Afro-Cuban SoundTrax. Staging Suggestions are featured on Sally's "Showtime!" video, Alfred #21176.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003149
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 career in music publishing gave him eight years of experience in rights and licensing, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. He is a prolific composer with over 800 choral works in print, performed regularly across English-speaking countries, and holds membership in ASCAP, where he has been a consistent recipient of the Special Award for his compositions.
Beyond composition, Althouse has collaborated extensively with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and vocal collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers. He authored several widely-used classroom resources: Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios, as well as the co-written best sellers The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His choral work I Hear America Singing, created with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's Inauguration in 2009. Althouse resides in North Carolina and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse brings authentic rhythmic vitality to the 2-part voicing without sacrificing accessibility. The bilingual text feels conversational and inclusive rather than performative, letting the infectious salsa groove do the heavy lifting while your singers connect genuinely to the message that music surrounds us. This is the kind of piece that energizes a concert program and reminds everyone why they showed up.
What to expect
The piece radiates infectious joy, its salsa rhythms creating immediate forward momentum. The melody captures the conversational ease of the text, making singers feel like they're discovering music in the everyday world rather than performing a concept. There's genuine warmth here—not exotic distance, but invitation.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for middle school through adult choirs seeking energetic, culturally grounded music that doesn't require previous Latin music experience. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible to younger ensembles and developing singers while the authentic Afro-Cuban sound keeps the material engaging for experienced groups.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the rhythmic foundation early. Recorded accompaniments help, but rehearse the percussion patterns and syncopated figures with your singers until the rhythm feels organic, not imposed.
- Lean into the two brief Spanish phrases as linguistic color rather than obstacles. Native speakers in your choir can model the pronunciation naturally during rehearsals.
- Shape the melody with forward energy but allow space for the text to breathe. "I hear the rhythm of life in music" lands differently when it feels conversational, not rushed.
- Reference the staging suggestions on Sally's "Showtime!" video (Alfred #21176) if you want choreography or blocking ideas that match the piece's celebratory tone.
How to use it
Program this in spring concerts or multicultural celebrations where it can anchor a segment on music's universal presence. Its rhythmic accessibility and uplifting message make it an ideal choice between heavier pieces or as a program closer that sends audiences out smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in Latin styles
- Singing in 2-part harmony with rhythmic independence
- Pronunciation and stylistic phrasing of Spanish language phrases
- Understanding Afro-Cuban rhythmic traditions and their application in contemporary choral writing
- Blending with an accompaniment that centers percussion and groove rather than harmonic support