A Christmas Carol (from Scrooge) (arr. Mark Hayes): 2-Part Choral Octavo
A Christmas Carol (from Scrooge) (arr. Mark Hayes) Sheet Music Preview

A Christmas Carol (from Scrooge) (arr. Mark Hayes): 2-Part Choral Octavo

By Leslie Bricusse / Arranged by Mark Hayes

Item: 35-DS01381539
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 13
SKU: 35-DS01381539

More about this title

About the Composer: Leslie Bricusse

Leslie Bricusse is a British songwriter and composer who shaped the sound of mid-century film and television musicals. His gift for crafting memorable melodies paired with accessible lyrics made him a natural fit for family entertainment, from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory to Scrooge. Bricusse's theatrical sensibility brings warmth and singability to every phrase he writes.

In the classroom, Bricusse's work offers students genuine songs rooted in dramatic storytelling. His melodies sit naturally in the voice and his lyrics deliver emotional clarity without ever feeling heavy-handed. These qualities make his compositions ideal for introducing young singers to the marriage of music and narrative.

Why we love this

Mark Hayes's arrangement opens this beloved carol to choirs that may lack the range or vocal maturity for a full SATB setting. The 2-part voicing preserves Bricusse's gentle melodic contour while offering enough harmonic interest to keep musicians engaged. This is the kind of arrangement that feels singable immediately but rewards careful attention to phrasing and text.

What to expect

The carol unfolds with quiet dignity, reflecting the emotional arc of Scrooge's transformation. Bricusse's melody carries a kind of wistful hope, never saccharine but genuinely moving. You'll hear minor key coloring and harmonic turns that give the piece more sophistication than a standard Christmas tune.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits middle school choirs and high school groups seeking holiday material that respects their developing musicianship without talking down to them. It works equally well for community choirs and church music programs looking for a piece with genuine dramatic weight beneath its accessibility.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape each phrase with the lyrics as your guide. 'A Christmas Carol' speaks tenderly about redemption and second chances, so avoid pushing the dynamic weight beyond what the text naturally asks for.
  • Balance the two parts so melody and harmony remain distinct. The second part shouldn't disappear, but it shouldn't draw equal attention to the tune.
  • Experiment with whether you bring the full ensemble in from the start or build gradually. Hayes's arrangement can handle either approach depending on your concert pacing.

How to use it

Pair this with other film-derived holiday music for a concert that celebrates how cinema shaped modern Christmas traditions. Its modest length and warm character make it an excellent anchor piece for a mixed program, or program it among other Bricusse arrangements to showcase his gift for theatrical melody. The piece lands beautifully as an encore or near the end of a longer concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in two independent vocal lines without doubling the melody
  • Shaping lyrical phrases with attention to narrative and emotion
  • Balancing harmonic support with melodic projection
  • Reading extended choral notation across 13 pages with consistent phrasing awareness

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