Runnin' to Bethlehem: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0000464
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Description
"You better hurry!" You don't want to miss this infectious original Christmas spiritual that captures all the energy and excitement surrounding the baby's birth. A winner in any voicing, for school or church choirs. Featured on the "Hooray for Hollywood!" DVD #28868.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000464
More about this title
About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht brings three decades of publishing experience to her work as a choral composer and clinician, having shaped educational choral repertoire as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at major music publishers including Alfred Music. Her catalog exceeds 600 published choral works along with 75 larger stage productions, and she has received the ASCAP Special Music Award annually since 1987. She has conducted honor choirs at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, establishing herself as a leading voice in school and church choral music.
Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. Her work in choral movement and accessible, engaging arrangements has made her repertoire a staple in elementary and secondary choirs nationwide. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband and fellow composer Jay Althouse.
Why we love this
Albrecht's gift for capturing the joyful urgency of a spiritual shines here, and the infectious energy makes this piece sing naturally even with limited rehearsal time. The movement and staging opportunities built into the score transform what could be a simple carol into a dynamic performance moment that holds an audience's attention from the first note.
What to expect
Infectious and joyful, with the driving rhythmic energy of a true spiritual. The piece captures that childlike urgency and wonder surrounding the nativity, delivered through Albrecht's gift for melodies that stick with audiences long after the concert ends.
Who it's for
School choirs (elementary through high school) and church choirs of all ages looking for an original Christmas spiritual with genuine energy and accessibility. The 2-part voicing makes it ideal for younger singers or mixed ensembles without extensive harmonic experience.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the rhythmic drive. The 'hurry' in the text is not just lyrical; it's built into the musical pulse, so keep the energy moving forward and don't let the piece settle into a dragging tempo.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove and help singers lock in the infectious rhythm from day one, especially if your ensemble is new to syncopated spiritual idioms.
- Plan your staging and movement choices early in rehearsal. The choreography isn't incidental; it anchors the piece's character and gives singers a physical way to own the excitement.
- Balance the two parts so the harmony shines without one voice eclipsing the other. The octavo's voicing is designed for blend, not dominance.
How to use it
Use this as an opening number on a Christmas concert to set an upbeat, celebratory tone, or pair it with slower, more reverent nativity pieces to create emotional and stylistic variety. The built-in staging makes it strong enough to anchor a holiday program on its own.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic independence and syncopation in a spiritual idiom
- Two-part harmony singing with textural balance
- Integration of movement and vocal performance
- Stylistic singing in the African American spiritual tradition