Twas the Night Before Christmas Cover Image

Twas the Night Before Christmas: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$22.95 USD
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Twas the Night Before Christmas Cover Image

Twas the Night Before Christmas: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

A Christmas Mini-Musical for Unison and 2-Part Voices

By Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Grade: K--6

Item: 00-A-00014838

$22.95
Digital Download
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00014838

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral music education for over three decades, serving as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications for major educational publishers, most recently Alfred Music. Her catalog includes more than 600 choral works and 75 larger musicals, alongside her active work as a conductor and clinician; she has led honor choirs at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. Since 1987, she has been a recurring recipient of the ASCAP Special Music Award, recognizing her consistent contributions to the field.

Albrecht earned her B.A. in Music and Theater from Rollins College (Florida) in 1976, then completed both an M.A. in Drama and an M.M. in Accompanying at the University of Miami. She has held faculty positions in music at Oakland University (Michigan), Jersey City State College (New Jersey), and Meredith College (North Carolina). Her work in choral movement and accessible choral writing for young singers has made her a trusted voice in elementary and middle school music programs nationwide. A native of Cleveland, she lives in North Carolina with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse.

Why we love this

Albrecht and Althouse understand what elementary and middle school choirs actually need: a story that kids know and love, music that sits comfortably in young voices, and enough charm to make a winter concert memorable. The recorded accompaniment takes pressure off your pianist and lets the singers focus on their parts without the constant sound check shuffle.

What to expect

Warm, familiar, and gently theatrical. This arrangement brings Clement Clarke Moore's beloved poem to life with melody and harmony that feel natural to young voices, creating a sense of anticipation and wonder that audiences recognize immediately.

Who it's for

Elementary and middle school choirs looking for a complete, singable musical that doesn't demand advanced vocal technique. The piece works especially well for programs serving students in grades K through 6 who need a concert opener or standalone winter presentation that engages both singers and audience.

How to get the most out of it

  • Split the narration among multiple students or assign it to a strong reader who can deliver the story with personality; the accompaniment will support their pacing without rushing them.
  • Use the accompaniment track during rehearsals to establish a consistent tempo, then transition to live piano once students know their entrances and feel secure in the harmonic landscape.
  • Balance the choir's dynamic levels against the story sections so the narrator remains clearly heard; Albrecht's writing naturally creates these breathing moments, so lean into them.

How to use it

Open a winter concert with this piece to set a joyful, accessible tone before moving into more challenging repertoire, or present it as a complete stand-alone performance that showcases your singers' ability to carry a narrative. The digital format makes it easy to rehearse independently of a live accompanist, giving you flexibility in scheduling.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in two and three parts with clear voice independence
  • Maintaining a steady tempo and phrasing within a longer narrative structure
  • Diction clarity in service of storytelling
  • Following a conductor while listening to a recorded accompaniment
  • Expression and character development through sustained vocal lines

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