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The Water Is Wide: SAB Choral Octavo

$1.80 USD
$1.80 USD
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The Water Is Wide Cover Image
The Water Is Wide: SAB Choral Octavo

The Water Is Wide: SAB Choral Octavo

American Folk Song / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-35587
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Description
Contemporary harmonies shimmer over the rolling piano accompaniment in this superb arrangement of a folk favorite. A must-have! Featured on PianoTrax 3 Accompaniment CD (00-34744).

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Water Is Wide: SAB 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 Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081397832
SKU: 00-35587

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 Alumni. 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, he has over 800 choral works in print performed across the English-speaking world and is a writer member of ASCAP, a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award.

Beyond his work as a composer, Althouse has contributed substantially to music education through co-written musicals with his wife Sally K. Albrecht, curated vocal collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and authored instructional resources such as The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. He has served on boards including the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently advises the Folk Art Society of America, for which he has contributed articles to their quarterly publication.

Why we love this

Althouse's arrangement brings genuine sophistication to a traditional melody without obscuring its heart. The contemporary harmonic language catches light over the rolling accompaniment, giving singers a sound that feels both fresh and rooted in the folk tradition. This is the kind of piece that reminds audiences why familiar songs endure: in skilled hands, they reveal new dimensions.

What to expect

The melody floats over shimmering contemporary harmonies that sway like water itself. The piano accompaniment moves in gentle waves, supporting without overwhelming, creating a soundscape that feels both contemplative and alive. There is a quiet confidence to the arrangement; it honors the folk tune while speaking in a distinctly modern voice.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits choirs with developing sight-reading skills who are ready for three-part writing with musical substance. It works equally well in educational contexts and festival settings, offering singers a chance to inhabit a familiar tune through fresh harmonic color.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the vocal lines to mirror the piano's rolling motion; resist the impulse to sit heavily on beats. The arrangement asks for fluidity.
  • Balance the three parts carefully during rehearsal so each voice line remains audible. SAB voicing can blur if sopranos dominate.
  • Use the accompaniment recording (PianoTrax 3, 00-34744) early in rehearsal to establish the arrangement's harmonic context and tempo.
  • Reserve dynamic control for the final week of preparation. Let singers first become secure with their parts and the flowing accompaniment pattern.

How to use it

Program this alongside other folk arrangements or contemporary choral works that invite reflection. Its concert-ready polish makes it suitable for festival adjudication, and its accessibility allows you to include it on programs where you also feature more demanding repertoire. The approximately 12-page score suggests a modest rehearsal commitment relative to its impact.

Skills your students will build

  • Three-part voice independence in SAB voicing
  • Singing contemporary harmonic language with accuracy and expression
  • Ensemble balance and blend in a piano-accompanied setting
  • Phrasing and line shaping through sustained melodic singing

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