Psallite: Let All Nations Sing: SATB Choral Octavo

Althouse knows exactly how to write for singers. The choral lines sit naturally in the voice while maintaining sophistication; your ensemble will feel capable and sound polished. The blend of Latin and English text creates a contemporary concert piece that feels both accessible and substantial, and the included descant parts give you flexibility in how you voice the sopranos and tenors depending on your singers' strengths.

Exuberance radiates from the page. The Latin and English interplay creates a celebratory, almost hymn-like character that invites singers and audiences alike into a moment of shared joy. There's an inherent lift to the writing that makes choirs want to sing it.

This octavo works for intermediate to advanced high school and college choirs, as well as community and semi-professional ensembles looking for a concert piece that combines musical substance with accessibility. Directors want a piece that sounds impressive without overwhelming singers; Althouse delivers that balance here.

• Treat the Latin text with clear articulation and rhythmic precision to make the language sing; record a rehearsal and listen back to ensure the Latin syllables aren't swallowed.
• Decide early whether you'll use the descant on every performance or save it for a specific section or final run-through, then communicate that choice consistently in rehearsals.
• Balance the secular energy of the piece by anchoring the lower voices; bass and tenor lines carry harmonic weight, so ensure they're singing with confidence and not being drowned out by the sopranos.

Program this as a concert opener or a mid-program lift to shift energy and mood. The secular text and ecumenical spirit make it a strong choice for spring concerts, commissioning celebrations, or any program needing a moment of unifying optimism.

• Singing Latin text with clear vowel sounds and appropriate phrasing
• Balancing SATB voices when divisi and descant parts are in use
• Sustaining ensemble blend across a substantial choral work (12 pages)
• Interpreting expressive singing in a secular context that still carries musical weight