Psallite: Let All Nations Sing: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse crafts choral writing that sits beautifully in singers' voices while delivering the energy and clarity that makes an ensemble sound polished and confident in performance. The blend of Latin and English text gives this concert piece sophistication without sacrificing accessibility, and the included descants add textural interest and a natural showcase for your soprano and tenor sections.

Buoyant and celebratory, with the infectious momentum of a work designed to energize both singers and audience. The weaving of Latin and English creates an inviting cosmopolitan quality, while the descants add shimmer and lift to the overall sound without losing the grounding of the full harmonic foundation.

Choirs at the intermediate to advanced level who want a concert piece that balances strong harmonic writing with rhythmic energy and textural variety. The work suits singers who have developed enough vocal control to handle descant writing and the articulation clarity that makes text mixing effective.

• Balance the descant lines carefully so they enhance rather than overshadow the main harmonic texture; have sopranos and tenors sing a dynamic notch lighter than the full choir during combined sections.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to establish the style and energy level, then gradually pull back rehearsal reliance so singers develop independence before performance.
• Shape the Latin and English text sections distinctly in tone and articulation to highlight the stylistic shift and keep the audience engaged throughout.

Program this as a second-half opener or closing number for a concert where you want an immediate lift in energy and mood. It works particularly well on programs pairing classical and contemporary sacred works, or on shows built around themes of unity or celebration.

• Balancing descant lines within a four-part harmonic texture
• Code-switching between Latin and English text with consistent articulation
• Sustaining forward energy across a full concert work
• Blending soprano and tenor descant parts while maintaining individual line clarity