Santa Bring Me Snow: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000308
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
What's on everyone's Christmas list? "Santa, bring me snow, bring me snow, bring me snow" (maybe a foot, or two, or three!). An easy, fun, 60s-style piece written expressly for kids. It's a wintry blast, sure to be the hit of your holiday concerts.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000308
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse studied music education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music, along with the university's Distinguished Alumni award. He spent eight years working in rights and licensing for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that tenure.
With more than 800 choral compositions in print, Althouse has established himself as a prolific voice in music education. His works span all choir levels and are performed widely across English-speaking countries. Beyond composition, he has co-written children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal solo collections, and authored pedagogical resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and classroom materials on music theory and composer biography. He is a longtime member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of their Special Award. Althouse resides in North Carolina, where he has contributed to local arts organizations and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse nails the voice of elementary and middle school singers with this 60s-inflected earworm that demands nothing technically while delivering maximum charm and holiday spirit. The repetitive, catchy hook paired with the specific image of snow ("maybe a foot, or two, or three!") gives kids a song they'll actually want to sing, and the two-part writing keeps logistics simple for mixed-level choirs. It reads as genuinely fun rather than condescending, the hallmark of Althouse's best work for young singers.
What to expect
Infectious and playful, with a winking nod to 1960s pop sensibility. The song captures that specific childhood magic of hoping for snow while feeling modern enough that singers don't feel like they're performing a "kid song." It's genuinely joyful without saccharine edges.
Who it's for
Elementary and middle school choirs, particularly singers new to two-part singing or those with limited rehearsal time before the holiday concert. The accessible range and straightforward harmonic writing make it ideal for mixed-ability ensembles and students who respond better to novelty repertoire than traditional sacred carols.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the retro 60s groove. This isn't a reverent carol; it's meant to bounce with energy and personality, so encourage singers to feel the rhythmic lift rather than sing it straight.
- Keep the repeated refrain crisp and tight. "Santa, bring me snow" works best when the choir locks the phrase together, which builds that earworm quality and strengthens ensemble blend.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the style and tempo. Hearing the professional track helps singers grasp the intended character faster than rehearsal piano alone.
How to use it
Feature this as the crowd-pleasing closer on your holiday concert, where its upbeat energy and humor offer relief after more serious seasonal repertoire. It pairs well with traditional carols earlier in the concert and gives your audience permission to smile during the winter concert season.
Skills your students will build
- Two-part singing and independence between voice lines
- Rhythmic precision in repeated, syncopated figures
- Style interpretation in pop-influenced choral writing
- Diction clarity on rapid, articulate text phrases