When Words Are Not Enough Sheet Music Preview

When Words Are Not Enough: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Words and music by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse

Item: 00-PO-0006966

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$2.20

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
The ultimate music-themed opener/closer for concert and festival programs! A tuneful hook and full choral writing pay tribute to the art of song.

The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
  • Assignment, recording, and assessment tools within MakeMusic Cloud
  • Part-predominant and accompaniment tracks
  • Printable sheet music (with a standard MakeMusic Cloud subscription)
  • Correlated rehearsal guides and performance notes
  • Rights to perform in a live or virtual setting

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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
SKU: 00-PO-0006966

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 as a composer, conductor, and clinician with particular expertise in movement-integrated choral performance. Her catalog includes more than 600 published choral works alongside 75 songbooks and musicals, and she has received the ASCAP Special Music Award annually since 1987. She conducted honor choirs at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, and served as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications for Alfred Music.

Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama and M.M. in Accompanying), and has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. She was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College in 2021, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Rollins. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, composer and arranger Jay Althouse.

Why we love this

This piece captures the perfect energy for a concert opener or closer—it's immediate, memorable, and celebrates the joy of singing itself. The 3-part mixed voicing keeps everyone engaged without creating balance challenges, while the tuneful melody and full harmonic writing give your singers material that feels substantive and rewarding to rehearse and perform.

What to expect

Warm, affirmative, and celebratory. The piece radiates gratitude for music's ability to express what language alone cannot, creating an emotional lift that lingers with audiences. Its tuneful melody and accessible harmonies make singers feel confident and connected, while its thematic depth gives performers something meaningful to convey.

Who it's for

Directors programming mixed choirs (treble, baritone, and bass, or soprano, alto, and bass) for concerts, festivals, or competitions who need a crowd-pleasing work that still offers genuine musical substance. This octavo suits singers with basic to intermediate sight-reading skills and benefits any ensemble seeking a piece that celebrates the human voice and the power of choral singing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the musical storytelling: the text celebrates what song communicates beyond words, so shape phrases with genuine expression rather than purely technical precision.
  • Balance the part-predominant tracks strategically during rehearsal. Use them early to establish secure voicing, then gradually rely on them less as singers internalize their lines.
  • Explore the sign language component as an enrichment option. Even if you don't fully integrate it, the visual dimension can deepen singers' connection to the text and add a distinctive layer to your performance.
  • Work the harmonic rhythm carefully in sections where parts move independently; clear articulation and steady tempo will keep everything cohesive.

How to use it

Program this as a concert opener to set an uplifting tone and immediately engage your audience, or place it as a closing piece to leave listeners with a powerful statement about the purpose and beauty of choral music. It works equally well in festival or competition settings where you need a selection that showcases musicality and ensemble cohesion without heavy technical demands.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in 3-part mixed voicing with secure part integrity
  • Interpreting text-painting and emotional expression in secular choral music
  • Balancing ensemble sound across three distinct voice ranges
  • Using recorded accompaniment and part-predominant tracks to reinforce independent vocal lines
  • Performing with confidence at concert and festival venues

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