Side by Side: E-flat Alto Saxophone: Choral SoundPax
Arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PC-0001928_AX1
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
A unique arrangement of one of the all-time great friendship songs . . . unique because it can be performed with a swing beat OR with even eighth notes. The straightforward treatment means it's easy-to-learn in just a few rehearsals so it's perfect for the beginning . . . or the end . . . of the school year. A good choice for movement. InstruPax includes: director's score, trumpet, tenor sax, alto sax, rhythm.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Side by Side: E-flat Alto Saxophone: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
28
SKU:
00-PC-0001928_AX1
Instrumentation:
trumpet, tenor sax, alto sax, rhythm, score
More about this title
About the Arranger: 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, later receiving the university's Distinguished Alumni award. His work in the music publishing industry spanned eight years as a rights and licenses administrator and included a term on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
As a composer, Althouse has created over 800 choral works performed widely across English-speaking countries and recognized by ASCAP with multiple Special Awards. Beyond composing, he has compiled and arranged vocal collections, co-authored pedagogical resources including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, and written classroom materials on music literacy and composer biography. His collaborative work with his wife Sally K. Albrecht includes children's musicals and I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 inauguration. Althouse has served on the boards of the North Carolina Master Chorale and the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
The dual rhythmic approach sets this apart from standard friendship song arrangements. Directors can choose between a swing feel for high energy or straight eighths for accessibility, making it genuinely useful whether you need something quick to teach or something versatile enough to program with different styles. The included instrumental parts elevate what could be a simple opener into a genuine ensemble moment.
What to expect
Warm and inclusive, with the kind of straightforward sincerity that only a true friendship song can carry. The arrangement invites singers to enjoy themselves without navigating complex harmonies or tricky rhythms, while the instrumental colors add sophistication that makes the performance feel complete.
Who it's for
Beginning and intermediate choirs looking for accessible material that doesn't compromise on musicality. It works equally well at the start of the school year when skills are still developing or near the end when you want something that feels fresh and celebratory.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the rhythmic style clearly in your first rehearsal. Run through the opening phrase twice, once with swing feel and once with even eighths, so singers hear the difference before committing to either interpretation.
- Let the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) anchor the groove. Their precision matters more than perfect vocalist entrances early on; lock them in first, then layer the voices.
- Use the movement potential as a teaching tool, not an afterthought. Plan basic formations or gestures that reinforce the friendship theme, which helps singers connect emotionally to the lyrics faster.
How to use it
Pair this with other community-focused repertoire for a peace and brotherhood concert, or use it as an energizing closer that lets your singers and any visiting band students collaborate in real time. Its quick rehearsal timeline makes it ideal for all-school programs or spring concerts where building something meaningful between fall and winter programming feels rewarding.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with instrumental accompaniment and learning to maintain independence from the band
- Understanding and executing two distinct rhythmic feels (swing vs. straight eighth notes)
- Coordinating movement with singing and text interpretation
- Blending with a mixed ensemble that includes winds and rhythm section