Run, Run to Bethlehem: SATB Choral Octavo

$2.25 USD

Run, Run to Bethlehem: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: Run, Run to Bethlehem: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-21156
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-21156

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Another brilliant Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse. "Run, run to Bethlehem. See the tiny baby lying in the hay." The melody practically sings itself, the steady, even rhythms drive the piece forward, and dynamic changes add excitement. A contrasting middle section adds a different dimension before a return to the opening melody and a closing section in which each voice is added on to the men's melody. "Baby born today!"

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

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081200774

SKU: 00-21156

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse earned a B.S. in Music Education and an M.Ed. in Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. His eight-year tenure as a rights and licenses administrator at a major educational music publisher gave him deep insight into what choirs need, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that time.

With more than 800 choral works in print across all skill levels, Althouse has become a defining voice in accessible choral writing. His compositions are performed widely throughout the English-speaking world, and he is a writer member of ASCAP with regular recognition through the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond composing, he has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored influential pedagogical resources like The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. He served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently sits on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

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Why we love this

Althouse's gift for melody shines here: the opening phrase practically demands to be sung, and the steady rhythmic pulse keeps everything moving without requiring complex meter work. The structural arc feels inevitable, with a genuine contrast in the middle section that refreshes the listener before the layered ending builds natural excitement as voices accumulate over the men's melody.

What to expect

This is a spiritual that sounds like it has always existed, with a melody that feels both familiar and freshly discovered. The steady pulse and dynamic shape create forward momentum that feels joyful and purposeful, while the middle section offers a moment of gentle contrast before the energy returns for the triumphant final layering of voices.

Who it's for

Choirs at intermediate to early advanced levels will find this piece rewarding and accessible. Directors seeking a genuine Christmas spiritual with melodic integrity and structural clarity, not oversimplified sentiment, will appreciate Althouse's craftsmanship.

How to get the most out of it

Nail the opening unison or opening section lines before adding harmonic layers; the melody's singability only works if singers feel confident owning it from the first note.
Use the dynamic markings as your roadmap for building energy. The piece's forward motion depends on respecting the contrasts between sections rather than singing everything at a moderate level.
In the closing layered section, rehearse each voice part's entrance separately so singers understand exactly when they join and how their line relates to the men's melody underneath.
Let the steady rhythms breathe naturally; resist over-conducting or rushing, since the piece's power lies in its hymn-like simplicity and directness.

How to use it

Pair this with other spirituals or Christmas carols as part of a longer holiday choral set, or feature it as a concert opener that establishes warmth and accessibility for the audience. Its moderate length and straightforward appeal make it ideal for community concerts, holiday fundraisers, or Christmas services where you want music that moves listeners without demanding technical virtuosity.