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Two traditional seasonal songs, Christmas Is Coming, the Goose Is Getting Fat and The Dreidel Song, are combined. Discuss with your students some of the compositional techniques (imitation, augmentation) or tonalities that are used to fit these two tunes together. The many teachable moments make this a blast to teach and play!

Instrumentation: Score; 8 Violin 1; 8 Violin 2; 4 Violin 3/Viola TC; 4 Viola; 4 Cello; 4 Bass; Percussion; Piano. The tender ballad from A Charlie Brown Christmas is a perfect jazz-flavored choice for younger orchestras. Well-crafted moving lines within the the skilled ensemble writing assure success.

The perfect opportunity for string students to experience the wonder of this timeless tale! The suite is a setting of many old English Christmas carols in six movements---each can stand alone for holiday concert programming, or when played together, provide a complete accompaniment to an optional narration of Dickens' text. Optional percussion parts lend color to the drama. Completely accessible for intermediate orchestras, but fully satisfying for advanced groups, this suite promises to become a holiday concert tradition for any orchestra program.

Have a jolly, jingly holiday, but bring out the blue jeans and red bandanas for a country Christmas! Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Jingle Bells shine in this fun, foot-stompin' piece.

Instrumentation: Score; 8 Violin 1; 8 Violin 2; 4 Violin 3/Viola TC; 4 Viola; 4 Cello; 4 Bass; Percussion; Piano. Finding interesting and fresh material for holiday concerts is always a goal for many directors. Robert's appealing version of this old English carol is set in the keys of D and G, and features a contrasting middle section that combines unison playing with solid ensemble writing.

Flavoured with melodic quotes from other familiar tunes to add to the fun and lighthearted character of Grandma. The quotes offer an opportunity to introduce new rhythms from familiar tunes.

As the title suggests, this fun piece adds a Latin flavour to a holiday favourite. The middle section even recalls the folk tune La Bamba. We Wish You a Merry Christmas appears in all instrument groups, and a variety of rhythm patterns provide interest to the accompaniment figures in this unique arrangement.

Highlights from Tchaikovsky’s immortal holiday classic are presented in a tightly woven medley with younger players in mind. Full of the colour and pageantry presented in the ballet itself, five popular movements brilliantly set the stage, including: Overture (M. 2), Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (M. 16), Russian Dance: Trepak (M. 30), Dance of the Reed Flutes (M. 42), and Waltz of the Flowers (M. 59). Here’s a tour de force that your students will really enjoy working on, and a guaranteed audience pleaser for your December concerts.

The playful side of Mozart shines through brilliantly in this holiday concert favourite that is now available in a well-crafted and accessible arrangement for less experienced string students. Based on the Coda movement of the dance, players will be surprised at how quickly they are able to put this work together Solidly voiced chords and logical voice leading help to ensure a confident performance.

Lovely and very playable! During the christmas song, “We Three Kings,” the lyrics read, “Star of wonder, Star of night, Star with royal beauty bright.” These lyrics reveal a special meaning in this wonderful, unforgettable song of the travels of three kings to view and honour the newborn son.

This is a charming medley of two European carols in 3/4 time and scored here in the key of G major -- The Infant King from Poland and Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella from France. Everyone gets a chance at the melody as these tunes are presented separately and then in combination. Duration 2:35. Grade: 2

Instrumentation: Score; 8 Violin 1; 8 Violin 2; 4 Violin 3/Viola TC; 4 Viola; 4 Cello; 4 Bass; Percussion1; Percussion 2; Piano. Three beloved songs from the long history of European holiday celebrations have been skillfully woven together in this effective montage for strings. An ideal program number for holiday programs for years to come. Includes: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Oh How Joyfully; Angels We Have Heard on High.

Henry Mancini's lovely carol is yet another memorable melody from his rich library of film music. The song was featured in the 1964 Joseph Mankiewicz film of the same name, a re-telling of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This simple, elegant song is sure to please audiences and your players with this well- rafted arrangement for string ensemble.

Three festive carols are skillfully combined into a terrific showcase for Christmas programming. The familiar strains of these “bell” songs will make a superb concert opening for your Christmas needs. Includes: Westminster Chimes, The Merry Bells All Ring, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Ukrainian Bell Carol.