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When Words Are Not Enough: PartTrax Digital Audio Download

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When Words Are Not Enough Cover Image

When Words Are Not Enough: PartTrax Digital Audio Download

Words and music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Item: 00-AA-0000427

$49.99
Digital Download
Description

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Sample Audio
1 When Words Are Not Enough SATB (Alto Dominant) --:--
2 When Words Are Not Enough SATB (Bass Dominant) --:--
3 When Words Are Not Enough SATB (Tenor Dominant) --:--

When Words Are Not Enough SATB (Alto Dominant)

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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-AA-0000427

More about this title

About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht

Sally K. Albrecht has shaped American choral music for over three decades, first as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at Alfred Music and throughout her career as a prolific composer and conductor. An ASCAP award recipient since 1987, she has created more than 600 choral works and 75 larger songbooks and musicals, many of which have become standards in school and community choirs. Her expertise in choral movement and pedagogy has made her a sought-after clinician at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center.

Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A., 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught in the music departments at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. A Cleveland native, she now resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College.

Why we love this

This piece captures an emotional truth that resonates with singers and audiences alike. The combination of Albrecht's distinctive choral writing with Althouse's collaborative partnership creates a work that feels both accessible and meaningful, making it ideal for concerts where you want to leave your audience moved rather than merely entertained.

What to expect

The music communicates vulnerability and honesty, addressing moments when conventional language falls short. This is a piece that invites singers to inhabit genuine emotion rather than simply perform technical precision, creating an intimate connection with the audience.

Who it's for

This SATB work serves choirs preparing for concerts, festivals, or contest performance who need repertoire with genuine emotional depth and contemporary relevance. It works equally well for experienced high school choirs and college ensembles seeking a piece that connects both performers and listeners.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the harmonic texture throughout by encouraging each voice part to listen across the chord, particularly in moments where the melody shifts between sections.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the emotional pacing early in rehearsal; this allows singers to focus on interpretation and movement rather than learning the harmonic foundation.
  • If incorporating sign language (a noted feature), rehearse the relationship between signing and singing well in advance so both can feel integrated rather than layered on top.
  • Shape phrases by identifying the emotional peak within each section and building toward it with dynamic and textural clarity.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer or a featured selection where you want to end on reflection rather than spectacle. It pairs effectively with other contemporary repertoire and can serve as a powerful contest piece that demonstrates choral artistry beyond technical difficulty.

Skills your students will build

  • Emotional communication and interpretation of text
  • Blend and balance in four-part SATB writing
  • Performing with movement integration
  • Connecting melodic phrases across voice parts
  • Using recorded accompaniment as a learning and performance tool

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