Shout the News!: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Althouse knows how to write a spiritual that feels both celebratory and vocally grateful. The mix of a declarative chorus with a funky, contrapuntal "Hallelujah" section gives you contrast without asking your singers to do anything technically unreasonable. The optional SSAB voicing means you can program this regardless of your section balance.

Joyful and propulsive, with the kind of declarative confidence that invites singers to commit fully to the text. The funky harmonic movement in the "Hallelujah" section adds color and playfulness, preventing the piece from feeling staid or overly reverent.

SATB choirs looking for a seasonal piece with real energy and singability. Directors working with ensembles that skew toward more women than men will appreciate the SSAB option without sacrificing the joy of the piece.

• Keep the declarative chorus sections rhythmically locked and energized; this is where the news gets shouted, not whispered.
• The contrapuntal "Hallelujah" section benefits from clear diction and slight separation between voice parts so the layering registers.
• Balance the a cappella texture by having singers feel the harmonic progression rather than trying to force volume; the arrangement does the work if intonation is clean.
• Consider staging the chorus and the "Hallelujah" section differently to reinforce their contrasting characters.

Pair this with more introspective or traditional Christmas pieces to give your holiday concert architectural shape. Its eight pages make it ideal as a centerpiece or finale that sends audiences out feeling the festive energy you've built all season.

• Singing sustained a cappella harmony without instrumental support
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in a contrapuntal texture
• Balancing ensemble blend across different sectional dynamics
• Shaping declarative, rhythmic text articulation