Shout the News!: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Albrecht roots this original spiritual in "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," a song your singers likely already know, which means the melody sits naturally and the text resonates immediately. The rousing refrain hooks your choir and audience from the opening measure, and the descant riff at the end provides that satisfying, energetic send-off that makes a rehearsal feel like it landed. Best of all, she designed this with movement in mind—choreography is available through the When We Sing! DVD—so you can shape a performance that feels alive and embodied, not static.

Joyful, urgent, and celebratory from the first moment. The opening refrain grabs attention with the energy of an old gospel call, and the riff-like descant at the end feels like a communal shout of joy. This is music built for singers who want to move, sing with conviction, and share something genuine.

This works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking vibrant Christmas repertoire that appeals to younger singers. The SAB voicing makes it accessible, but the spiritual content and professional arrangement appeal equally to adult community choirs and church choirs looking for authentic gospel-influenced material.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the refrain first. Albrecht's riff-like writing demands clean attacks and releases; once the rhythm locks in, the energy becomes contagious.
• Balance the descant at the end so it sparkles without overwhelming the full three-part texture below it. The riff should feel like a celebration, not a competition for attention.
• If you're incorporating movement, teach the choreography before you finalize your vocal balance. Physical engagement will naturally shift how your singers shape the phrases and breathe together.

Place this as a centerpiece in a Christmas concert or holiday service where you want to shift the energy and invite full-bodied engagement from your singers and audience. Its length and spirited character also make it an ideal closer or second-half opener, especially if you're programming a mix of sacred and secular holiday selections.

• Three-part SAB voicing and part independence
• Gospel and spiritual style conventions (call-and-response phrasing, syncopated rhythm)
• Descant singing and blending in a layered texture
• Integration of movement with vocal performance
• Expressive interpretation of sacred text