The Little Cradle Rocked: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Traditional Spiritual / arr., with new music, by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0001862
$1.85
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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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!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001862
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 as a Distinguished Alumni award recipient. His career spans both publishing and composition; he spent eight years managing rights and licenses for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. As a composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in print and is performed regularly across English-speaking countries.
A writer member of ASCAP, Althouse is a frequent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award for his standard music compositions. Beyond choral writing, he has co-created children's musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, compiled respected vocal solo collections, and authored or co-authored instructional books including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. He served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently advises the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.
Why we love this
Althouse's gift for accessible arranging shines here; the syncopated rhythms feel organic rather than imposed, making this spiritual a genuine joy for singers still building confidence in two-part singing. The structural arc moves with purpose and intention, and that gospel tag finale reframes the entire piece in a way that will make your singers grin during rehearsal and leave your audience wanting more.
What to expect
Warm and conversational, with a gentle rock in its rhythmic foundation. The piece unfolds with natural momentum, building toward moments of brightness before that final gospel flourish transforms everything into something joyfully unexpected and celebratory.
Who it's for
This arrangement works beautifully for middle school through adult choirs seeking accessible yet substantive repertoire. Two-part voicing makes it ideal for younger ensembles, community choirs, or mixed groups with limited upper-range singers, while the spiritual tradition and sophisticated arranging appeal to more experienced singers looking for genuine musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the syncopation early in rehearsal by singing it to a steady pulse; let your singers feel the natural swing before worrying about perfection.
- Shape the phrase endings with gentle releases rather than hard stops; this keeps the spiritual's conversational quality alive.
- The recorded accompaniment is an excellent reference for tempo and style, but consider rehearsing a cappella first to build vocal independence.
- Save energy for that gospel tag; it's the emotional payoff, so encourage your singers to bring renewed brightness and excitement to the final section.
How to use it
This pairs beautifully in a concert celebrating African-American musical traditions or as part of a Christmas program seeking repertoire with spiritual depth and energy. Its moderate length and two-part simplicity also make it an excellent choice for a winter concert opener that establishes both joy and musical seriousness.
Skills your students will build
- Navigating syncopated rhythms within a simple harmonic framework
- Maintaining independence in two-part singing while staying connected to ensemble
- Understanding spiritual and gospel traditions through direct musical experience
- Executing clean releases and shaped phrase endings