Christmas in the Key of Cheer

Description

This piece features rock-inspired versions of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “Up on the Housetop.” Let your low brass shine and take the melody in measure 25. Encourage your audience to get involved and clap along with the ensemble!

Program Notes

OK, I know… totally cliché, but I really, truly love the Christmas season. I am still, as an adult, just swept away in the promise of the season and the spirit of that particular holiday. It really does lend itself to overwhelming feelings of nostalgia and the promise of possibility. I also am just a sucker for a catchy chord progression, and that, my friends, is where this rock-inspired version of these classic carols is born from!

I tried to hint at some classic offerings with the downward-moving quarter-note motif in the opening of the work, but infused my own modern twist on the harmonic movement in the counterlines. I think what came out of it is a fun and positively hopeful concert opener that smashes all of my joy for the season into a minute and a half.

I am a Euphonium player, so feel free to have lots of fun at M.25 when the low Brass take the melody over—get your audience involved and encourage them to clap alongside the Woodwinds! I think there is a general fear among directors about starting the audience clapping, so M.33 is built to sort of “encourage” them to trail off… here’s hoping!

I truly hope, whether you celebrate this particular holiday or not, that your winter season is merry and wonderful, and that you get all the “Cheer” you desire!