Holiday and Winter Concert Repertoire Recommendations
Band directors often face the dilemma of “How soon is too soon to start music for a Holiday/Winter concert?” Somehow it seems odd that without even one Halloween parade completed, some directors have already started down the path of finding holiday and winter concert pieces. Finding pieces that will serve their ensembles musically, and bring festive celebratory music into the community in which they teach is not always easy. With an abundance of choices available, it can be at points overwhelming to find the very best music for holiday and winter concerts.
The following pieces are suggestions to consider from a few colleagues and friends who have written some fantastic works for bands. While some certainly have ties to Holiday traditions both sacred and secular, there are other pieces that work well for winter concerts of all kinds at all levels. I have direct experience with many of the works on this list during my time as a public-school band director, but others come recommended from the composers themselves and my own research. I hope this list of over 30 pieces can serve as a resource for you in your repertoire selection. My best to you and your students as you begin preparations for upcoming Holiday and Winter Concerts!
Diary of a Grumpy Elf (Gr. ½, FJH) by Timothy Loest – This unique novelty work for young band and narrator is a wonderful experience for musicians playing their first holiday/winter concert.
Winter Winds (Gr. ½, Randall Standridge Music) by Randall Standridge – An original fanfare for winter concerts using only the first 6 notes students learn in most method books.
A Canterbury Christmas (Gr. 1, FJH) by Timothy Loest – A delightful setting of three English carols for young band that concludes with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
A Festive Fanfare (Gr. 1, FJH) by Brian Balmages – Brian skillfully combines snippets from recognized Holiday favorites with engaging original material to create a brilliant concert opener for a young band.
Jingle Bells! Samba Bells! (Gr. 1, FJH) by Williams Owens – Willie transforms Pierpont’s famous holiday song into a delightful Latin dance style.
A Spiritual Christmas (Gr. 1, Ludwig-Masters) by Quincy Hilliard –The spiritual “Mary Had a Baby” is given a festive treatment by Quincy in this setting for young band.
A Torch Was Brought (Gr. 1, Excelcia) by Tyler Arcari – A wondeful setting of “Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella.” A great experience for younger students to perform in a lilting ¾ meter and play with expression and shape in each phrase.
See Amid the Winter’s Snow (Gr. 1.5, Alfred) by Scott Watson – Though perhaps not as well-known as other English Carols, Scott has provided a lovely and expressive treatment of this song that is also known as “The Hymn for Christmas”.
A Song of Hanukkah (Ma’ oz Tzur) (Gr. 1.5, Alfred) by Robert Sheldon – Bob’s setting of this Hebrew folk song is exceptionally done.
Greensleeves (An English Folk Song) (Gr. 1.5, Carl Fischer) by Travis Weller – a new setting of a well-known holiday folk tune.n (added 8/2024)
A Winter Flourish for Wenceslas (Gr. 1.5, Ludwig-Masters) by Travis J. Weller – In the work I imposed 3/4 meter on “Good Wing Wenceslas” to create a unique opener for young musicians at a winter concert. (Interested directors are advised it is currently available for digital purchase through J.W. Pepper).
Hanukkah Dance (Gr. 2, Barnhouse) by Matt Conaway – Matt’s setting of “Sevivon” transforms into a spirited hora that is engaging and entertaining for performer and audience alike. It quickly became a favorite of my middle school band the first time I programmed it for our holiday concert.
Hey Man! Christmas Swings (Gr. 2, Carl Fischer) by Larry Clark – Shades of Big Band classics permeate and transform a number of Christmas carols. A great vehicle to teach swing style and connect students with various styles of jazz.
Santa Meets Sousa (Gr. 2, Alfred) by Mark Williams – A delightful mashup of Sousa themes and beloved carols. I enjoyed using it to get a jump on teaching march style to my middle school band.
Flourishing Noels (Gr. 2, FJH) by Travis J. Weller – The influence of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Flourish for Wind Band” and “Flourish for Glorious John” are ever present in this treatment of the First Noel.
Jazz Kings (Gr.2, Carl Fischer) by Travis J. Weller – A tribute to a couple of jazz “royalty” artists: Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Shades of “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “One O’Clock Jump” emerge around the carol tune as it moves between sections of 4/4 and 3/4 time. (updated 8/2024)
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Gr. 2.5, FJH) by Erik Morales – Erik really treats this classic so well, and the scoring puts young musicians in a great position for success in conveying a lyrical style.
A Solitary Wish (Gr. 2.5, FJH) by Brian Balmages – A poignant setting of two Christmas carols portraying the view of the holidays from the eyes of a homeless person.
Sugar Plum Samba (Gr. 2.5, Wingert-Jones) by Travis J. Weller – The ballet music of Tchaikovsky is transformed into a Latin dance piece complete with guiro and timbale.
Bashana HaBa’ah (Gr. 3, Hal Leonard) by Lloyd Conley – A setting of an Israeli/Hebrew song that speaks of the hope for better things in the year to come.
Ere the World Began to Be (Gr. 3, Daehn Publications) by Jack Stamp – A wonderful treatment of “Divinum Mysterium” complete with shades of Jack’s unique harmonic treatment.
Greensleeves (Gr. 3, Barnhouse) by Alfred Reed – I have long admired Alfred Reed for his craft in orchestration. His setting of Greensleeves is a wonderful opportunity for ensembles to experience Reed’s genius.
I Saw Three Ships (Gr. 3, Arrangers Publishing Company) by Larry Kerchner – The setting is simply a lot of fun to put together, and reminiscent of the energy Sting captured in his recording on A Very Special Christmas 3.
The Joyful Rose of Winter (Gr. 3, Wingert-Jones) by Randall Standridge – Intertwining music of Praetorius and J.S. Bach, Randall creates a beautifully nuanced work for an intermediate high school band.
On This Day the Earth Shall Ring (Gr. 3, Alfred) by Scott Watson – Scott unlocks intrigue and splendor in his setting of the carol that can be traced back to the 14th century.
Silent Night (Gr. 3, Devmusic) by Ayatey Shabazz – A unique treatment of perhaps the most lyric and sensitive work in the holiday music repertoire. Moments of full expressive playing from the ensemble are contrasted against subtle sections and unique, colorful harmonic shifts.
Swinging with Old Saint Nick (Gr. 3, Wingert-Jones) by Robert E. Foster, Jr. – This contribution from Rob affords directors the opportunity to teach swing style to their group and also develop confidence in a student on drum set.
Toboggan (Gr. 3, Randall Standridge Music) by JaRod Hall – A newer work to the holiday repertoire that captures the wonder and excitement of a gentle snow and the ensuing race to the bottom of the hill on a toboggan.
Ancient Carol Variants (Gr. 3.5, Alfred) by Chris Bernotas – After an expressive opening, Chris takes God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen through a rollicking 6/8 section and an exciting finish that utilizes mixed meter.
A Hanukkah Festival (Gr. 3.5, Alfred) by Chris Bernotas – Chris has done a masterful job within this work preserving the integrity of the original three Hanukkah songs (Sevivon, Maoz Tzur, and Hanukkah) while creating a fresh and engaging new setting.
Passcaglia on an Old English Carol (Gr. 4, FJH) by Robert Longfield – A haunting setting of The Coventry Carol that utilizes the Chaconne from First Suite in Eb as its archetype.
Star of Bethlehem (Gr. 4, Hal Leonard) John Williams/arr. Paul Lavendar – The concert band setting of this work from the movie Home Alone is exception and grandiloquent. While my programming has generally avoided holiday movie music over the years, I returned to this work several times and it never disappointed.
Snowflakes Dancing (Gr. 4, Kjos) by Andrew Boysen Jr. – In this piece individual motive cells combine to form unique sonic patterns that are never repeated the same way – as Andy notes much in the same way each snowflake retains its unique pattern.
So Wondrous Bright (Gr. 4, Carl Fischer) by Carol Brittin Chambers – Based upon the Puerto Rican, the work offers opportunities for small chamber like playing at the discretion of the director and calls for a full complement of Latin percussion.
Three Wise Guys (Gr. 4, Music Propria) by Julie Giroux – It’s hard to choose from Julie’s settings of Christmas carols (as they are all so well done), but the opportunity to afford your flutes, oboes, and clarinets to perform in an authentic jazz style is too good to pass up. Brilliant scoring throughout the work.
Christmas Fantasy on “Do You Hear What I Hear” (Gr. 4.5, Hal Leonard) by Calvin Custer – Timbre and orchestration, harmonic progressions, and texture treatment breathe a unique spirit into this music written by Gloria Shayne in 1962.
December Dance (Gr. 5, Kjos) by Andrew Boysen Jr. – There is an unmistakable, uncontrollable positive aura that permeates every riff and melody throughout this work. It is an advanced work to be sure, but students will work especially hard to bring this piece to fruition.
