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The Water Is Wide: 2-Part Choral Octavo

$1.80 USD
$1.80 USD
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The Water Is Wide Cover Image
The Water Is Wide: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The Water Is Wide: 2-Part Choral Octavo

American Folk Song / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-35589
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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: 2-Part 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: 038081397856
SKU: 00-35589

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. Early in his career, he spent eight years as a rights and licenses administrator at 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 across all difficulty levels, performed consistently throughout English-speaking countries. His contributions to music education extend beyond composition: he has collaborated with Sally K. Albrecht on children's musicals and choral resources, authored reproducible classroom materials including Ready to Read Music and One-Page Composer Bios, and served on the board of the North Carolina Master Chorale. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Althouse also serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and has contributed articles to its quarterly publication.

Why we love this

Althouse's arrangement modernizes this timeless folk melody without obscuring its character. The contemporary harmonies and shimmering piano part give familiar material fresh color, making it an intelligent choice for festivals and competitions where arranging craft and musical intelligence matter as much as the source material.

What to expect

The arrangement wraps a beloved folk melody in contemporary harmonic language that feels both fresh and grounded. Rolling piano figures create motion and warmth beneath the singing, giving the piece an intimate yet spacious quality that invites listeners into its emotional landscape.

Who it's for

This works beautifully for developing choirs, treble choirs, or mixed ensembles seeking accessible repertoire with arranging sophistication. It suits festival and competition programs where a folk-based piece can hold its own against more classical selections.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the 2-part voicing so both lines remain audible through the flowing accompaniment; the piano texture should enhance rather than overshadow choral clarity.
  • Shape the melodic phrases across measures rather than accent each new harmonic change, allowing the tune's natural contour to emerge.
  • Work the accompaniment part with your pianist early in rehearsal to establish the rolling motion; once locked, the choir's phrasing will find its rhythmic home more easily.
  • Explore the emotional space created by the contemporary harmonies without over-interpreting them; let the arrangement's shimmer speak for itself.

How to use it

Program this alongside other folk-inspired arrangements or American repertoire to create a thematic suite that feels cohesive without repetition. Its moderate length and accessible difficulty make it an ideal transition piece within a longer concert, or a strong closer for a festival set where you want to end with something that resonates.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in 2-part harmony with attention to voice independence
  • Phrasing and line shaping across contemporary harmonic progressions
  • Listening to and blending with piano accompaniment
  • Interpreting arranging choices and their emotional effect

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