Category: Christmas Music Composer: Thomas Ridgley
Based on "O CHRISTMAS TREE"
This arrangement of the well known Chrislmas carol brings an excellent sense of excitement to the start of your concert whilst also providing an instant sense of fesiivity.
Opening with a sense of mystery, the heraldic fanfares parade over the top of the theme in an augmented form before calming ito the Theme in full in a very
stately fanfare manor. As the Theme is repeated, it is imporiant that it remains the focus piece as it is easy for ihe Cornet fanfares to be overblown.
This music should provide excitement at every possible corner and so the molio rit of bar 38 should be exaggeraied before returning to ihe original Tempo at bar 39 - with The opiional Soprano line rising above the band if played.
For a different start to a concert, you could try having Cornets and Trombones stood around the Band. Although This would require some moving, it would allow the fanfares io rise above the Band much easier.
Click on MORE DETAILS to listen to an audio extract and view the Solo Cornet part of this work.
PROGRAM NOTE: Troika is a Russian word that means a group of three and alight, Russian sleigh pulled by three horses is also called a troika. Christmas Troika portrays the joy of Christmas via a musical sleigh-ride. Listen as the glistening snow crinkles beneath the wait of the sleigh and the hooves of the prancing horses as it travels through the countryside. One can almost see the frost on the trees, the wind blow and the sleigh-bells ring as the tune 0 Come, All Ye Faithful wends its way through the music.
NOTE TO THE CONDUCTOR: The music is joyous and light and should be approached in this manner; never too loud or too heavy or overplayed. The fast and energetic tempo is constant throughout the piece and should not be affected by the style or dynamic levels. When the carol (0 Come, All Ye Faithful (just the middle part of the carol is used.. .0 come, Let Us Adore Him) is introduced in measure 20 (beginning with a two beat pick-up in measure 19), it must be dominant in the texture of the music. Feel free to adapt the dynamic levels to make this work with your band.
To help negotiate the C concert key signature, accidentals have been occasionally added as reminders. Be sure to give prominence to the sleigh-bells whenever they appear and let the whip crack in measure 53 be loud and clear.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year ! James Curnow.
Categories: WIND ENSEMBLE, Christmas Music, Flex Brass Arranger: Peter Lawrance
Flexible 4 part ensemble - works for brass or woodwind or both.
Includes : 1. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 2. Carol of the Drum 3. The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy 4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 5. Zither Carol 6. Little donkey 7. All I Want for Christmas
Parts Included as follows :
Part A in Bb - Trumpet/ Cornet/ Clarinet Part A in C - Flute
Part B in Bb - Trumpet/ Cornet/ Clarinet Part B in C - Oboe/ Flute Part B in Eb.- Tenor Horn/ Alto Sax Part B in F - French Horn
Part C in Bb (TC)- Trombone/ Euphonium/ Clarinet Part C in C (BC) - Trombone/ Bassoon Part C in Eb - Tenor Horn, Alto Saxophone Part C in F - F Horn
Part D in Bb (TC) - Trombone/ euphonium / baritone/ Bb.Bass Part D in C (BC) - Trombone Tuba/ Bassoon Part D in Eb. (TC) - Eb.Bass/ Alto Sax.
Very Easy Optional Parts are also included for Trumpet/ Flute/ Clarinet/ Trombone/ Euphonium Bassoon.
Percussion.
Additional parts also included for woodwind ensemble.
To view 