Sun Don't Set in the Mornin': SSA Choral Octavo
Based on a Southern Folk Hymn
Adapted and arranged, with additional words, by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0000075
$1.65
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This adaptation of an American folk hymn has a fascinating text: "Sun don't set in the mornin'," and "Water don't rise when the stars glow." But, ultimately, "light shines over the world." A haunting melody and a simple, open-sounding piano accompaniment set the scene.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000075
More about this title
About the Arranger: 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. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years in rights and licensing administration at a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, he has over 800 choral works in print and is a writer member of ASCAP, a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award.
Althouse has collaborated extensively with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and vocal collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers. His instructional contributions to music education include The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers, as well as classroom resources like Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios. He co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and has contributed articles to the Folk Art Messenger.
Why we love this
Althouse's arrangement honors the paradoxical text without sentimentality, letting the folk melody carry its own quiet power. The open piano writing leaves space for the voices to breathe, making this accessible for developing choirs while the harmonic simplicity never feels thin. Programming this piece creates a contemplative moment that rewards singers and audiences alike with its directness and emotional clarity.
What to expect
The melody unfolds with the inevitability of folk wisdom, setting impossible statements as fact. An open harmonic landscape and spare piano writing create space around each phrase, letting the text's paradoxes resonate. The progression toward "light shines over the world" feels earned rather than imposed, emerging gradually from the song's quiet acceptance of mystery.
Who it's for
This SSA arrangement works well for treble choirs, women's ensembles, and mixed choirs performing the treble voicing. Directors programming concert sets that need contemplative repertoire will find this folk hymn bridges sacred and secular contexts with equal authenticity. Intermediate to advanced singers appreciate the simplicity that demands clean intonation and phrase control.
How to get the most out of it
- Sustain the opening phrases with gentle forward motion; resist the urge to slow down for atmospheric effect. The haunting quality comes from the melody's natural contour, not tempo manipulation.
- Balance the three voice parts so the melody line remains audible even when all voices are singing. The accompaniment's simplicity means every tuning adjustment will be noticed.
- Let the text paradoxes land naturally without overemphasis. Singers should own the contradictions as philosophical truth, not as puzzle-solving.
How to use it
Position this piece as a center moment in a concert program, where its contemplative tone creates breathing room between more energetic selections. It pairs thoughtfully with other American folk literature or serves as an anchor for a program exploring spiritual themes. Consider using it as a season opener to establish an introspective concert arc.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining open vowel sounds across long phrases
- Maintaining pitch accuracy with minimal harmonic support
- Balancing independent voice parts in close harmony
- Shaping phrasing through text meaning rather than breath marks
- Blending SSA texture with clear voice part definition