Star of Glory: SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0003870
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
An exciting, original, a cappella Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse in the tradition of his "No Room," "Have You Heard?," and "Whisper! Whisper!" Lots of effective dynamic contrasts make this a thrilling choral work for both singers and audience. Lush, slow middle section contrasts with up-tempo opening and closing sections. A quality choral work for your Christmas concerts.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0003870
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 recognized with the Distinguished Alumni award. Early in his career, he worked as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. His compositional output spans more than 800 published works for choirs at every level, performed widely across English-speaking countries.
Beyond composition, Althouse has built a substantial career in music education through writing. He co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, compiled vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and created classroom resources such as Ready to Read Music and Sixty Music Quizzes. A longtime participant in American music advocacy, he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award.
Why we love this
Althouse brings the spiritual's emotional depth into a shape that works beautifully for standard mixed voices without requiring vast ranges or advanced technique. The piece's architecture sets up your singers for immediate success: the up-tempo sections energize the ensemble, while the lush middle passage gives your singers a chance to demonstrate musicality and blend. Directors consistently find this piece programs well because audiences recognize the spiritual tradition while experiencing something fresh.
What to expect
Opening with the energy of a rousing spiritual, the piece pulls singers and listeners forward through bright, rhythmic passages before settling into a gorgeously layered middle section where the harmonic language expands and the tempo releases. That breath and contrast make the return to the up-tempo closing feel earned and celebratory rather than repetitive.
Who it's for
Directors working with mixed choirs at the intermediate level who want a Christmas spiritual that feels substantial rather than simple. SAB voicing makes this accessible to groups without tenors or to programs mixing youth and adult singers, while the piece itself never sounds compromised or juvenile.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the dynamic contrasts deliberately rather than letting them happen naturally. Mark your score with specific targets for the softest passages in the middle section; this will anchor your singers' interpretation across rehearsals.
- Balance the SAB voicing by listening to the soprano line as your harmonic anchor, then adjust alto and baritone placement so they support without overwhelming that top voice.
- Sustain vowel consistency throughout the up-tempo sections to maintain clarity without sacrificing the spiritual's warmth and resonance.
How to use it
Program this toward the second half of your Christmas concert after establishing a quieter mood; its dynamic arc and spiritual foundation work well following a meditative processional or between hymn arrangements. Eight pages allows ample rehearsal time even with a packed holiday repertoire, and the piece lands powerfully enough to anchor a concert segment or stand alone as your spiritual selection.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping sustained phrase lines through dynamic control
- Balancing three-part mixed voicing with even tone across upper and lower parts
- Interpreting the spiritual tradition with compositional authenticity
- Managing tempo changes and rhythmic transitions in a cappella singing