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The Gift of Music: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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The Gift of Music Cover Image
The Gift of Music: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The Gift of Music: 2-Part Choral Octavo

(You Are a Part of Me)

Words and music by Sally K. Albrecht

Item: 00-47674
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Description
Celebrate the connection we feel when we sing together. The heartfelt message at the center of this piece comes to life with sensitive choral writing and a touching text. Especially meaningful at graduation and end-of-year performances. A free sign language video is available online.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081543673
SKU: 00-47674

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has spent over three decades shaping choral music in American schools, first as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at Alfred Music and throughout her career as a conductor, clinician, and prolific composer. Her work has earned consistent recognition from ASCAP since 1987, and she has led honor choirs at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. With more than 600 published choral works and 75 songbooks and musicals in print, her compositions are staples in rehearsal rooms across the country.

Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. Her partnership with composer and arranger Jay Althouse has been central to her life in music. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.

Why we love this

Albrecht has an instinct for text that lands emotionally without sentimentality, and "The Gift of Music" exemplifies that gift. The two-part writing is genuinely singable for mixed-ability choirs, leaving space for voices to breathe while still creating the full, warm sound that makes graduation moments memorable.

What to expect

This piece unfolds with genuine warmth and sincerity, honoring the bittersweet reality of transitions and closures. The music mirrors the text's celebration of connection, with harmonies that feel inclusive rather than complex, creating a shared moment of reflection.

Who it's for

Choirs of mixed experience levels who want meaningful repertoire for a graduation or end-of-year concert. The two-part voicing makes it accessible to smaller or younger ensembles while remaining satisfying for established programs seeking an emotionally resonant finale.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the two parts carefully during the bridge sections; the upper voices should sing with clarity without overshadowing the lower line, which carries important harmonic weight.
  • Allow singers to feel the pulse without rushing; this piece benefits from generous phrasing that lets the text settle with the audience.
  • The recorded accompaniment can anchor ensemble cohesion during rehearsals, but encourage singers to feel the independence of their line within the harmonic support.
  • If using the complementary sign language video, rehearse it with enough time that choreography becomes second nature; this removes mental load and lets singers focus on tone and expression.

How to use it

Close a graduation ceremony or spring concert with this piece to give closure and celebration equal weight. It also works beautifully in contests and festivals where a touching, memorable selection can distinguish an ensemble's artistic sensibility.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing sustained melodic lines with attention to phrase length and breath phrasing
  • Balancing two independent vocal lines in a harmonic context
  • Interpreting text with emotional authenticity and musical shape
  • Maintaining ensemble blend and intonation in two-part writing

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