The Little Cradle Rocked Cover Image

The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo

$1.85 USD
$1.85 USD
Skip to product information
The Little Cradle Rocked Cover Image
The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Traditional Spiritual / arr., with new music, by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-41667
makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$1.85
Shipped

One moment…

Related Items

The Little Cradle Rocked: SATB Choral Octavo

$1.85
View

The Little Cradle Rocked: SAB Choral Octavo

$1.85
View

The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo

$1.85
View
Description
This Jay Althouse spiritual arrangement really "rocks that cradle." Syncopated rhythms are natural and easy to learn, and a well-developed form leads us to unexpected, exuberant places. The gospel tag at the end is a fresh surprise!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081467474
SKU: 00-41667

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. His career in music publishing spanned eight years as a rights and licenses administrator, during which he served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, he has created more than 800 choral works performed across the English-speaking world and maintains membership in ASCAP, earning the organization's Special Award multiple times for his compositions.

Beyond composing, Althouse has built a substantial legacy as an educator and author. He has collaborated with his wife, Sally K. Albrecht, on children's musicals and compiled respected vocal solo collections. His instructional publications include The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios. His arrangement work and original compositions have reached significant platforms: he and Albrecht co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. Althouse resides in North Carolina and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse's gift for crafting approachable yet musically satisfying arrangements shines here. The syncopated rhythms feel natural to sing rather than imposed, and the unexpected harmonic turns in the second half keep singers engaged and delighted. The gospel tag finale transforms what could be a straightforward spiritual into a moment of genuine exuberance.

What to expect

Warm, gently syncopated, and ultimately exuberant, this spiritual rocks with quiet confidence before suddenly opening into full-voiced joy. The piece carries the gentle dignity of a lullaby while building toward something celebratory and alive.

Who it's for

This arrangement works beautifully for middle and high school choirs, as well as community and church choirs seeking accessible sacred repertoire with real musical substance. Two-part voicing makes it ideal for singers still developing independence, yet the sophisticated harmonic movement keeps experienced singers interested.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the syncopation breathe without dragging; these rhythms should feel conversational and relaxed, not stiff or overly precise.
  • Balance the two voice parts so that neither dominates in the opening sections; this allows the form to reveal itself gradually and builds anticipation for the tag.
  • Bring extra energy and confidence to the gospel tag finale; this is where the piece rewards singers with its most joyful and surprising moment.

How to use it

Pair this with other spirituals or folk-based works to create a thematic program segment, or use it as a contrasting moment in a Christmas concert where its unexpected gospel energy cuts through more traditional repertoire. Its manageable two-part texture makes it suitable for programs that blend developing and more experienced singers together.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing syncopated rhythms accurately while maintaining a natural, conversational phrasing
  • Maintaining independent vocal lines in two-part texture
  • Responding to harmonic changes and unexpected musical directions
  • Performing with stylistic awareness of spiritual and gospel traditions

You May Also Like