Shout the News!: SSAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0007945
$1.65
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
We can't wait to shout the news of this sensational seasonal spiritual from the incomparable Jay Althouse. It's got an exciting declarative chorus, a funky contrapuntal "Hallelujah" section, and the best in a cappella harmony. You'll want to perform this gem year after year. Awesome and singable for SATB choirs, and equally festive for choirs with fewer men than women in the SSAB.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0007945
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 was later honored with the Distinguished Alumni award. His eight-year tenure in rights and licenses administration at a major educational publisher gave him deep insight into what works in choirs, and he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America during that period.
With over 800 choral works in print, Althouse has become a fixture in choirs across the English-speaking world. He holds membership in ASCAP and is a regular recipient of their Special Award for compositions in standard music. Beyond his prolific output as a composer, he has co-written children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, edited respected vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored instructional resources like The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His work I Hear America Singing, co-written with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's inauguration in 2009.
Why we love this
Althouse writes seasonal spirituals that actually sit well in mixed voices without the drama of constant revoicing. The declarative chorus gives singers something to sink their teeth into, while the funky contrapuntal section adds the kind of rhythmic energy that keeps even reluctant singers engaged. This is repertoire that sounds mature and celebratory without asking for vocal gymnastics.
What to expect
Celebratory and accessible, with an infectious declarative energy in the chorus. The contrapuntal "Hallelujah" section brings rhythmic sophistication and a touch of funk to what could otherwise be a straightforward arrangement, creating a performance that feels both joyful and musically substantial.
Who it's for
Any director with SSAB or SAB voicing who needs a festive seasonal piece that doesn't require a large tenor section. The piece works especially well for choirs with uneven gender ratios, since the arrangement accommodates imbalance without sounding sparse or strained.
How to get the most out of it
- Spend time on the contrapuntal section in rehearsal. Layering independent lines requires precise listening and ensemble awareness; use a recorded accompaniment if available to lock your parts into place before performing unaccompanied.
- Shape the "Hallelujah" section with rhythmic crispness. The funkiness lives in articulation and rhythmic precision, not in slowing down or softening the edges.
- Balance the voices in the chorus so the main melody cuts through without overpowering the harmonic support beneath it. This piece rewards clear part definition.
How to use it
Pair this with other seasonal spirituals or contemporary sacred works to create a modern holiday set that showcases your ensemble's range. The piece works as a concert opener that sets a festive tone, or as a closer that leaves audiences in high spirits. Its eight-page length makes it manageable for holiday programs with multiple pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Reading SSAB/SAB voicings and adapting to uneven voice distributions
- Maintaining independent melodic lines in contrapuntal texture without doubling
- Articulation and rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
- Blend and balance in a cappella singing across multiple voice parts
- Singing festival and celebratory material with musical maturity