Peace Like a River Cover Image

Peace Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo

$1.85 USD
$1.85 USD
Skip to product information
Peace Like a River Cover Image
Peace Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo

Peace Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo

American Folk Song / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-39683
makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$1.85
Shipped

One moment…

Related Items

Peace Like a River: PianoTrax Digital Download

$9.99
View

Peace Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo

$1.85
View

Peace Like a River: SAB Choral Octavo

$1.85
View
Description
Enjoy this simply beautiful and singable setting of the serene American folk song. The fresh piano accompaniment provides a changing foundation for each verse.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Peace Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081443447
SKU: 00-39683

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jay Althouse

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 spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, Althouse has accumulated more than 800 choral works across all skill levels, performed widely throughout English-speaking countries. He holds membership in ASCAP and has received the organization's Special Award multiple times for his contributions to standard choral music.

Beyond his compositional output, Althouse has collaborated with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and vocal collections, including the widely-used Folk Songs for Solo Singers. His pedagogical work includes co-authoring The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, along with classroom resources such as Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios. Notably, he co-wrote I Hear America Singing with Albrecht, a choral work performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America, contributing articles to its quarterly publication.

Why we love this

Althouse's arrangement respects the hymn-like simplicity of this beloved folk melody while giving it genuine musical substance through thoughtfully varied piano accompaniment. The writing is completely singable for mixed choirs without requiring soloists or technical virtuosity, making it ideal for community and school ensembles that need something spiritually resonant but accessible. The eight-page format and secular designation allow it to program well alongside both sacred and contemporary repertoire.

What to expect

Serene and grounded, with the spiritual quietness of a folk hymn that invites reflection rather than display. The melody unfolds naturally across the voices while the piano gently supports and colors each phrase, creating an atmosphere of gentle assurance.

Who it's for

Any SATB choir looking for a meaningful, accessible piece that works equally well in concert settings, peace initiatives, or interfaith programs. This arrangement suits both experienced choirs that value elegant simplicity and developing ensembles gaining confidence with four-part writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the parts carefully so the melody remains clear even when all four voices are singing; the hymn's power rests in its transparency, not thickness
  • Pay attention to the changing piano accompaniment noted in the description; it should subtly shift the emotional color of each verse rather than dominate the vocal line
  • Sustain longer notes with quiet, even tone, avoiding any vibrato that would muddy the folk character of the piece
  • Let the piano establish a steady, meditative tempo; this piece functions best when it feels unhurried and genuinely peaceful

How to use it

Program this as a moment of contemplation in a concert addressing peace, brotherhood, or social healing. It pairs beautifully with other folk-inspired arrangements or with contemporary choral works that share similar restraint and emotional honesty, offering your audience a chance to breathe between more complex selections.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody and harmony in four-part writing
  • Sustaining legit, controlled tone across longer phrases
  • Interpreting text-painting and emotional arc in secular choral music
  • Reading and following piano accompaniment cues that support the vocal line

You May Also Like