Uma Familia: SAB Choral Octavo
Music by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0004209
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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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.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004209
More about this title
About the Composer: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored with the Distinguished Alumni award. Early in his career, he spent eight years in rights and licensing administration for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
Why we love this
Althouse captures Brazilian warmth and accessibility in equal measure. The message of unity lands naturally in English with just enough Portuguese flavor to feel authentic, and the recorded accompaniment brings genuine rhythmic vitality that makes rehearsal infectious rather than instructional.
What to expect
Uma Familia radiates warmth and optimism. The harmonies bloom with a silky ease that feels effortless to sing, while the Brazilian inflections in both melody and rhythm create an immediate sense of place and celebration without demanding technical virtuosity.
Who it's for
SAB choirs seeking repertoire that speaks to contemporary values without sacrificing musicality. This works equally well for community choruses, school choirs in grades 7-12, and church ensembles looking to expand beyond traditional European choral traditions.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the rhythmic lilt of the accompaniment rather than fighting against it; let the SoundTrax guide your ensemble's pocket and phrasing
- Treat the Portuguese phrase as a moment of color, not a language hurdle; clarity matters more than perfect accent
- Balance the three parts so the melody sits prominently without overwhelming the supporting harmonies that give this arrangement its shimmer
How to use it
Program this alongside other world music selections for a concert exploring global voices, or use it as a closing piece when you need something uplifting and unifying. Its message of common humanity makes it particularly effective for thematic programs centered on community, diversity, or social connection.
Skills your students will build
- Cross-cultural music literacy and rhythmic feel beyond Western classical traditions
- Blending three-part SAB voicing with maintained independence in each voice line
- Singing with stylistic authenticity (Brazilian pop sensibility rather than classical phrasing)