The North Pole Radio Hour Cover Image

The North Pole Radio Hour: Unison / 2-Part Choral Student 5-Pack

$27.50 USD
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The North Pole Radio Hour Cover Image

The North Pole Radio Hour: Unison / 2-Part Choral Student 5-Pack

A Swingin' 1940s Holiday Musical for Unison and 2-Part Voices

By Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse, recording orchestrated by Jay Althouse and Steve Herold

Grade: 3 & up

Item: 00-28752

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Description
Take a 35-minute trip down memory lane as NPR (North Pole Radio) presents its 1946 Christmas holiday edition of "The North Pole Radio Hour." Hosts Sandy Snow and Storm Phillips welcome special guests the Moss Family (winners of the Klean Soap commercial songwriting contest) and several long-distance callers who phone in to chat with the big man himself during the "Ask Santa" segments. Swingin' musical guests include Joey Garland and Heather Holladay, each backed up by NPR's own "Snowtones." A fun-filled flashback to a bygone era with enough opportunities for the whole school to participate! Recommended for grades three and up. Performance time: approximately 35 minutes. Staging Suggestions included. Enhanced SoundTrax CD includes a reproducible PDF file of Cover Art.

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
UPC: 038081312989
SKU: 00-28752

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht brings three decades of experience in choral publishing and education to her compositions. An ASCAP award recipient since 1987 with over 600 published choral works in print, she has served as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at major educational music publishers and conducted honor choirs at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. Her background spans Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College, where she taught in music departments. She 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 is a Distinguished Alumna of both institutions.

Albrecht is known particularly for her work integrating choral movement and her ability to create accessible, engaging repertoire for young singers. She serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and received their "Pillar of Leadership" award. She and her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse, live in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Why we love this

This musical taps into the nostalgic appeal of vintage radio entertainment while creating abundant performance opportunities for singers across grade levels. The unison and 2-part writing keeps the production manageable while the variety of characters and songs means every student in your program can find a meaningful part to play. At 35 minutes with staging suggestions included, it's a complete show that feels professional without overwhelming your rehearsal schedule.

What to expect

Warm nostalgia mixed with playful humor, like stepping into a radio studio from a different era. The combination of swingin' musical moments, comedic banter, and audience-friendly characters creates an entertainment experience that feels both wholesome and genuinely fun for performers and listeners alike.

Who it's for

Elementary and middle school choirs looking for a complete musical production that accommodates mixed ability levels and large casts. The grade 3 and up recommendation makes it accessible to younger singers while remaining engaging for older students who can anchor the 2-part sections.

How to get the most out of it

  • Build the ensemble sound first by working unison sections thoroughly; once that anchor is secure, the 2-part sections will layer in more cleanly.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to establish steady tempos and to help younger singers internalize phrasing before adding choreography.
  • Emphasize the comedic timing in the 'Ask Santa' segments through clear diction and responsiveness to each other on stage; these moments create the show's charm.
  • Involve students in creating simple period-appropriate props and set pieces that evoke the 1940s radio studio setting, which deepens their investment in the performance.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a winter concert centerpiece that justifies a full program block without requiring multiple separate pieces. You might program it as your December or January concert event, or use it as a spring musical if your calendar allows; the holiday setting doesn't limit flexibility as much as you'd expect.

Skills your students will build

  • Performing in unison and 2-part textures with clear part integrity
  • Understanding character development and theatrical expression in choral singing
  • Blending diction and tone in ensemble contexts while maintaining individual voice quality
  • Responding to choreography and staging while sustaining musical accuracy
  • Listening and responding to live accompaniment within a longer dramatic structure

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