See the Baby: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: See the Baby: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-43299
Price: 1.90 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-43299

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Here's an exuberant a cappella feature, equally appropriate for school and church. Traditional choral writing, a familiar form, a characteristic bass line, and a soprano descant give this original composition its authentic spiritual sound. A contrasting middle section features reflective phrases from well-known "Mary Had a Baby."

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, See the Baby: SATB a cappella 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 Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081488417

SKU: 00-43299

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni award. His career spans both publishing administration (he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America) and composition, with over 800 choral works now in print across all difficulty levels. His music reaches performers worldwide, and he holds ASCAP membership with multiple Special Awards recognizing his contributions to standard choral repertoire.

Beyond composition, Althouse has shaped music education through co-written pedagogical texts like The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, as well as classroom resources including Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. He has collaborated with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and vocal collections, and together they created I Hear America Singing, performed at President Obama's inauguration by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

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Why we love this

Althouse's gift for spiritual authenticity shines here; the piece reads as genuine rather than imitative, grounded in traditional choral gestures (that characteristic bass line) while remaining entirely original. The soprano descant and carefully placed reflective middle section using 'Mary Had a Baby' create natural architecture that gives singers something real to build toward, making this work equally rewarding in school and worship contexts.

What to expect

Joyful and grounded, with the warmth of a spiritual that feels earned rather than manufactured. The piece radiates confidence from its opening, then invites listeners inward during the reflective phrases, creating an arc that feels complete and purposeful.

Who it's for

School and church choirs with solid blend and basic part independence will find this accessible and musically satisfying. It works equally well for holiday programming or anytime a choir needs a feature that honors spiritual tradition without requiring complex harmony or extended ranges.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the familiar 'Mary Had a Baby' phrases in the middle section with restraint; let the contrast between the exuberant outer sections and reflective center speak for itself rather than overplaying the shift.
The bass line carries harmonic and rhythmic weight in an a cappella setting. Ensure bass singers understand its supporting role while maintaining independence from the other parts.
Balance the soprano descant with care so it brightens the texture without overwhelming the ensemble; rehearse the descant separately, then gradually blend it in as other parts stabilize.

How to use it

Program this as a Christmas choral feature when you want something that bridges sacred and secular holiday contexts, or use it year-round as a concert opener that establishes an uplifting tone. Its eight pages and a cappella format make it flexible for both full-length holiday concerts and shorter devotional or church services.

Skills your students will build

Singing a cappella with accurate tuning and blend across SATB ranges
Tracking and maintaining a melodic line within four-part texture
Balancing a solo line (soprano descant) with ensemble sound
Interpreting and expressing contrasting musical sections (exuberant vs. reflective)