#57: Friday, December 6, 2019
Christmas and Holiday concert and caroling ideas, for SA, SSA, and easier SSAA
We all have our Christmas and holiday rep solidified for this year already, as our concerts are likely in the next week or two. But, while its fresh in my mind, this seemed the perfect time to put a few titles together, for when holiday concert planning is upon us next year. Generally speaking, these are possibilities for SA, SSA, and easier SSAA – selections well-suited to a larger intermediate ensemble, or a smaller advanced ensemble. This is by no means a comprehensive list of options! But I hope this gives you a place to start from, when thinking about next year’s Christmastime performances.
Some of the selections I have mentioned in full blog posts previously, and have linked below.
Best wishes in this busy concert season!
Alleluia
Donald Kendrick
Santa Barbara Music Publishing
SSA, a cappella
Not Christmas- or holiday-specific, but could be a good multi-use piece. Homophonic three-part. Comfortable ranges. All diatonic, can be taught/learned on solfege. Rhythms primarily quarter/eighth, with some borrowed triplets. Ample opportunity for shaping.
Alleluia Rejoice!
Arr. J. E. Hughes
Santa Barbara Music Publishing
SA, a cappella, with some handbells
Quick read. An excellent last minute addition, as it is fast to put together. Two parts – one singing Hodie Christus Natus est and one singing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Big presentational possibilities. One choir in front, one in back; or processional; or surrounding the audience. Great opportunity to explore your space. Handbells are used sparingly for pitch support and effect – not a separate line of music. Can be played by members of the choir.
Come Adore the Infant Holy
Arr. Nancy Grundahl
Alliance
SSA, a cappella
This carol arrangement has a relatively simple harmonic structure, but is a beautiful and warm. A lovely addition to a candlelight concert or service.
Gaudete!
Michael Engelhardt
Walton
SSA, percussion
This one is definitely not quiet! High energy. Driving. Needs strong percussionists, clean rhythm, and crisp diction. Perfect up-tempo option to shake up a concert!
Hodie Christus Natus Est
Agneta Skold
Walton
SSAA, a cappella
This one is SSAA, but infinitely solfege-able. And you can lean heavily on a soloist for the opening. 4 parts, but homophonic. Can likely be put together quickly depending on singers’ reading level. Some chant sections, which provide a great opportunity to work on text-focused stress and phrasing, instead of beat-focused.
In dulci Jubilo
arr. Vicki Courtney
Carl Fisher
SSA (also as SA)
Text setting interweaves Latin and English text. 6/8, homophonic 3-part, plus triangle. Nearly all diatonic, can be learned on solfege. Motivic melodic and rhythmic patterns. Great option for a larger intermediate ensemble that wants to branch out into 3-parts, but isn’t ready yet for polyphony.
Le Sommeil de l’Enfant Jésus
Ron Jeffers
earthsongs
SSA, a cappella
French carol. Beautiful light setting in minor – good opportunity for introducing or reinforcing minor-key solfege. Easy rhythms. Strophic, so it is quick to learn. Solo option in the middle makes it even quicker to learn. Could be a lovely trio or small group option.
“Magnificat” from The Nativity According to St Luke
Thompson, arr Seitz
ECS
SSA, organ
The organ part is harmonically supportive, but not overbearing to a smaller ensemble. The middle section is a solo, which cuts down on material to learn in rehearsal. Lovely chance to feature a strong soprano soloist.
Riu Riu Chiu
Arr. Erica Phare-Bergh
Cypress
SA, recorder, hand drum
Light, easy version of the familiar tune. Only 2-part voice, so a nice option for a less-experienced group. Recorder (or flute or oboe) and hand drum add variety and energy.
The Snow
Elgar
SSA, piano and 2 violins
Not specifically sacred or Christmas, but definitely winter. Long beautiful lush lines. Need two violinists with good intonation and rhythm skills, but could definitely be possible with strong student performers.
The next four are from Paul Carey’s “Carols for Women’s Choirs” book – if you aren’t familiar with this book, grab a copy! It is a veritable fount of Christmas repertoire for SSA, as well as more challenging SSAA. Plenty more options in his book besides these four, but these are some quality options that are less difficult:
Personent Hodie
SSA, with 2 flutes
Quelle cette est odeur agréable?
SSA, a cappella
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
SSA, w cello
The angel Gabriel from Heaven came
SA (with some div), 2 flutes
Holiday Caroling Sets – all a cappella – SSA and SSAA
A Caroling We Go – SSA, arr. Linda Spevacek. Heritage Music Press.
10 Carols, all with added endings and/or beginnings. Super-quick to learn, almost sight-readable, for advanced groups. Or a good first foray into a cappella caroling, for an intermediate ensemble.
Joy! A Carol Collection – SSA, arr. Jay Althouse. Alfred.
20 Christmas carols. Fairly traditional voicings, with some chromatics or added harmonies. Good option for your group that wants to try something more difficult than the Spevacek above, but isn’t yet ready for the Rouse or Weir below.
Three Jazzy Bell Carols – SSAA, arr. Jay Rouse. Shawnee.
As advertised, all are jazzy settings of familiar tunes. Ding Dong Merrily on High – multiple key changes. Jingle Bells – slow and stylized. Jazzy Bells – scat version of Carol of the Bells. All tricky, but loved by singers and audience alike.
A Holiday Jazz Trio – SSAA, arr. Michelle Weir. Alfred.
Let It Snow, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and Jingle Bell Rock. Not a quick read. 4 part tight jazz harmonies, with some tricky spots, especially for S2 and A1 internal chromatics. But well worth the effort. Perfect for your advanced group, or really excellent quartets/octets.
A Christmas Jazz Trio – SSAA, arr. Michelle Weir. Alfred.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, O Christmas Tree, and Winter Wonderland. Not a quick read. 4 part tight jazz harmonies, with some tricky spots, especially for S2 and A1 internal chromatics. But well worth the effort. Perfect for your advanced group, or really excellent quartets/octets.
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Until next time!
-Shelbie Wahl-Fouts
Dr. Shelbie Wahl-Fouts is associate professor of music, Director of Choral Activities, and music department chair at Hollins University, a women’s college in Roanoke, Virginia.
Email:
Bio: https://www.hollins.edu/directory/shelbie-wahl-fouts/
For a listing of all current and past blog entries by this author, click here.
For a spreadsheet of all blog posts and their repertoire, click here.
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