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The Best Gift of All: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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The Best Gift of All Cover Image
The Best Gift of All: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The Best Gift of All: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Item: 00-21776
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Description
"It's the love that you give, the way that you live, yes, the best gift of all comes from the heart." A tender and heartfelt seasonal sentiment from the songwriting team of Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse. Beautifully simple, yet musically rich, it's a thoughtful message for December concerts. Available in three voicings for any age choir with an optional SoundTrax CD.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Best Gift of All: 2-Part Choral Octavo 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 Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081211695
SKU: 00-21776

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral education for over three decades as a composer, conductor, and clinician with a particular gift for choral movement. Her catalog exceeds 600 choral publications alongside 75 larger works for stage, and she has been recognized annually by ASCAP for her contributions since 1987. She directed school choral and vocal publications for major educational music publishers, led honor choirs at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College.

Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977), and the University of Miami Frost School of Music (M.M. in Accompanying, 1979). She has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and received their "Pillar of Leadership" award. In 2021, both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College honored her with Distinguished Alumna Awards. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband and frequent collaborator, composer and arranger Jay Althouse.

Why we love this

The songwriting partnership of Albrecht and Althouse creates text that lands with genuine warmth without sentiment. The musical setting is accessible enough for young or developing choirs to master quickly, yet sophisticated enough to reward careful rehearsal with its harmonic richness. It offers directors a seasonal piece that speaks to values rather than commercialism, making it memorable for audiences and singers alike.

What to expect

Tender and grounded, with melody that feels almost conversational. The harmonic backdrop adds warmth and depth without complexity, creating an intimate quality that draws listeners into its simple but profound message about generosity and kindness.

Who it's for

This piece works for any age choir seeking accessible yet musically substantive seasonal repertoire. It's especially valuable for developing ensembles that need a concert-ready work without excessive technical demands, as well as experienced groups looking for a meaningful alternative to standard holiday fare.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the simplicity of the melody with the harmonic movement underneath; resist the urge to oversing. Let the text shine through with conversational phrasing.
  • Shape each phrase to mirror the natural cadence of the lyric. The message about giving from the heart deserves unhurried delivery.
  • If using the optional recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it early so singers can lock into the groove while building their independence with the part-writing.

How to use it

Use this as a centerpiece for December programming that balances holiday tradition with contemporary voice. It pairs naturally with other secular seasonal pieces or stands alone as a statement piece that speaks to the heart of the season beyond commercial trappings.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in 2-part voicing with independent vocal lines
  • Phrasing lyrical melody with conversational text delivery
  • Blending harmony while maintaining individual line integrity
  • Interpreting text-based musical expression with sensitivity

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