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Uma Familia: 2-Part Choral Octavo

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Uma Familia Cover Image
Uma Familia: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Uma Familia: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-20128
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Description
No nation better represents the mixing of "world" music than Brazil, and the pure harmonies and silky melodies of its pop music have never gone out of style. Jay Althouse recreates this Brazilian feel with Uma Familia ("We are one family"). The text, which reminds us "we are all one great family, one people," is in English with a single phrase in Portuguese. It's fresh, timely, and a joy to sing. And the "world music" sounding SoundTrax captures the joy that is Brazil. A cross-cultural gem.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Uma Familia: 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 Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081186924
SKU: 00-20128

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later recognized with the Distinguished Alumni award. His career spans both the publishing industry (where he spent eight years managing rights and licenses, serving on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America) and prolific composition, with more than 800 choral works in print across all levels.

Beyond his compositions, Althouse has authored and co-authored numerous resources for music classrooms and choral programs, including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book, Accent on Composers, and Ready to Read Music. His collaborative work with his wife Sally K. Albrecht extends to children's musicals and vocal collections. He serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he remains active in the choral community.

Why we love this

Althouse captures the infectious warmth of Brazilian pop music without requiring students to navigate complex vocal arrangements or language barriers. The single Portuguese phrase embedded in an English text creates an authentic multicultural moment while keeping the piece accessible, and the recorded accompaniment brings genuine rhythmic energy that transforms rehearsal and performance.

What to expect

The piece radiates the warmth and openness of Brazilian popular music, with silky melodic lines that feel natural to sing and pure harmonies that blend effortlessly. There's a lightness and optimism throughout, reinforced by the rhythmic vitality of the accompaniment, making it as uplifting to perform as it is to hear.

Who it's for

This octavo serves middle school and high school choirs seeking repertoire that celebrates unity and cultural connection without overwhelming younger singers with vocal demands. It also works well for programs building a multicultural concert or for groups wanting to explore world music idioms in an approachable, joyful context.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study the recorded accompaniment closely to internalize the Brazilian rhythmic feel; the groove drives the piece and students should lock into it early rather than treating the accompaniment as background decoration.
  • Shape the phrase "we are all one great family, one people" as the emotional center of the work, allowing voices to swell naturally without pushing beyond the piece's intimate character.
  • Keep the Portuguese phrase "Uma Familia" bright and forward in the mix so the bilingual text feels intentional rather than secondary.

How to use it

Position this as a concert centerpiece that bridges cultural awareness and accessibility, pairing it alongside other world music repertoire or using it to open a program on themes of community and diversity. Its fresh, contemporary sound also makes it a strong choice for spring concerts or celebrations where an affirming message resonates with your audience.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in a multicultural/world music style with authentic phrasing and rhythmic feel
  • Blending two-part harmony with clear vowel unification
  • Pronunciation and stylistic singing of Portuguese text
  • Responding to and locking with an accompaniment that drives the rhythmic structure

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