Sing We Now of Christmas (A Seasonal Fanfare): Choral SoundPax
A Seasonal Fanfare
French Carol / arr., with new words, by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PK-0001936
$20.00
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Description
Includes parts for 2 trumpets, trombone I [opt. French horn], trombone II, tuba, snare drum.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
24
SKU:
00-PK-0001936
Instrumentation:
2 trumpets, trombone I, trombone II [opt. French horn], tuba, snare drum, score
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 as a Distinguished Alumnus. His career spans both the publishing industry, where he served eight years in rights and licenses administration and held a position on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America, and composition, where he has established himself as a prolific voice in choral music with over 800 published works performed across the English-speaking world.
Beyond his compositional output, Althouse has shaped music education through numerous collaborative projects and instructional resources. He co-wrote children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled and arranged vocal solo collections, and authored influential classroom texts including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and Ready to Read Music. His choral work "I Hear America Singing," created with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. A writer member of ASCAP and regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award, Althouse currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in North Carolina.
Why we love this
Althouse brings decades of choral writing expertise to this straightforward arrangement, crafting a piece that honors the traditional carol while giving brass and percussion real work to do. The instrumentation feels balanced and celebratory without overshadowing the singers, making it a natural fit for programs seeking that seasonal fanfare quality without requiring extensive rehearsal time.
What to expect
The piece radiates warmth and pageantry, anchored by the familiar tune that audiences recognize immediately while the brass fanfare gives it contemporary sparkle and lift. It feels celebratory without being bombastic, reverent without being stodgy.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves choirs of any level looking for accessible holiday repertoire with instrumental color. It works equally well for school, community, and church ensembles that have brass musicians available or are willing to hire them for a seasonal concert.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the brass carefully in rehearsal; the snare drum cuts through quickly, so keep it lighter than you might initially think to avoid drowning out soprano and alto lines.
- Lock the rhythmic foundation early by drilling the trombone parts and tuba together, then layer in the trumpets once that backbone is solid.
- Mark the score with dynamic checkpoints during the first read-through so the ensemble understands where the arrangement swells and where it pulls back.
- Use the recorded accompaniment sparingly in early rehearsals to help singers find pitches, then wean off it so the live brass can breathe naturally with the voices.
How to use it
Place this as an opener or closer to a holiday concert; its brightness and energy make it ideal for setting or capping the evening. It also works well as a bridge piece between traditional carols and more modern seasonal selections, giving the program architectural variety.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in tune against sustained brass harmonies
- Balancing choral blend with instrumental accompaniment
- Reading and interpreting dynamic markings in a sectional arrangement
- Maintaining rhythmic precision with percussion and brass interjections