A Celtic Christmas: Score
Traditional / arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 0.5 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0001430
$8.00
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Description
The roots of this theme go as far back as the early 19th century, but its most familiar use is in the film score for Empire of the Sun. This lullaby carol will set a festive mood for your very first holiday program! (2:12)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Celtic Christmas: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Very Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
136
SKU:
00-PR-0001430
More about this title
About the Arranger: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner studied music at Butler University, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees before spending three decades as a high school music educator and administrator in his native Chicago area. Since 1973, he has published over 3,500 compositions and arrangements across virtually every ensemble type: school and church choirs, concert bands, orchestras, handbells, organ, piano, and vocal music. His work has reached audiences globally through concert performances, broadcasts, and recordings, with nearly eighteen million copies distributed worldwide.
Wagner's prolific output and sustained engagement with school music programs reflect a deep understanding of what students need to experience musical success at every level. His arrangements balance accessibility with genuine musicality, making repertoire both playable and memorable for developing musicians.
Why we love this
This arrangement introduces a hauntingly beautiful melody in the most approachable possible way. Grade 0.5 doesn't mean sacrificing musical substance; Wagner has crafted something your newest players can execute confidently while the lullaby's intrinsic elegance shines through. For a very first holiday concert, this creates an immediate success that builds ensemble morale.
What to expect
A gentle, nostalgic carol that evokes quiet winter evenings and timeless tradition. The arrangement respects the lullaby's intimate character, wrapping the melody in simple warmth rather than orchestral heaviness.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands in their first or second year, particularly ensembles preparing a holiday program. Students reading in treble clef with minimal chromatic complexity will find this arrangement well within reach while still engaging musically.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody so it floats above the supporting voices; even at this grade level, clarity of line matters more than volume.
- Shape the phrase endings gently rather than cutting them off abruptly. Let the lullaby breathe.
- Reserve the full ensemble for only the strongest moments; strategic use of smaller combinations maintains transparency throughout.
- Set a warm, unhurried tempo that allows younger players time to respond without rushing.
How to use it
Open your holiday concert with this piece to establish an elegant, peaceful mood for the entire event. Its brevity (2:12) and emotional restraint make it ideal for a contrast before higher-energy selections, or use it as the program's closing number to send the audience home in a reflective frame of mind.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and maintaining steady rhythm in simple meters
- Balancing melody against accompaniment
- Sustaining tone quality at softer dynamic levels
- Following conductor through phrase-based interpretation
- Playing with rhythmic precision in very limited ranges