New 2010-11  Up a Level         

Here is the perfect choice for an entertaining and unique holiday selection. Johnnie Vinson combines a light swing treatment of Jingle-Bell Rock, a lush version of Frosty the Snow Man, and a jazzy Here Comes Santa Claus into a terrific medley for young bands. Sure to be an audience pleaser!

Deck the Hall with Bells and Whistles is a Christmas novelty featuring various bell and whistle sounds. They’ll easily recognise the tune and leave with a smile on their faces - giving your percussionists a chance to add the pizzazz.

“Good King Wenceslas” and “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” are treated in an upbeat swing setting with all the nuances found in a jazz ensemble. The arrangement features some “jungle” drums, a smooth jazz section, an exciting contrapuntal section, and a genuine big band ending.

“The Huron Carol” is Canada's oldest Christmas carol, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary. The melody is from a tradition French folk song, Une Jeune Pucelle (A Young Maid). Intended as a gift and teaching aid to the Huron people, Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in their native language. The Moon of Winter is a powerful and moving adaptation of this carol for band that will enhance your next Christmas concert, adding a sense of reverence and honour

Utilizing the familiar melody of The Twelve Days of Christmas, but in an elegant waltz setting, here is a wonderful and fresh-sounding holiday treat. Skillfully orchestrated to include every section of the band, this is a gem for young players that you'll enjoy playing year after year.

A masterwork for concert band and orchestra since 1944, Michael Story has captured the intrigue of Alfred Reed’s Russian Christmas Music in this scoring for young band. Using an ancient Russian carol as the basis for his original classic work, Reed’s cherished work is now approachable for your young band. A dynamic addition to the literature!

Taking the musical phrase “dashing through the snow” and weaving it around original material, John Moss has created a wonderful work for band that captures the flavour and joy of the holiday season.

Here are all your favourite Nutcracker themes rolled into a clever and lighthearted medley. For added excitement, appoint an official time keeper and use a big hourglass-type egg timer or a projected digital stopwatch so the audience can track your progress as the band frantically races to finish under 3 minutes. (An accelerando is built-in at the end in case you need to make up time!)