A Christmas Couplet: Score
Arr. Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1.5 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0000512
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Description
"The Carol of the Bells" is paired with "We Three Kings of Orient Are" in this colorful and creative holiday piece. These two familiar Christmas carols provide a marvelous way to celebrate the season in 3/4 time!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Christmas Couplet: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Debut Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
118
SKU:
00-PR-0000512
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon's arrangements and compositions have become staples in concert band programs worldwide. His work with Sound Innovations established him as a leading voice in wind band pedagogy, and his prolific output continues to shape how bands approach both standard repertoire and new commissions. He has received recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, and his music appears regularly on festival and contest lists across the globe.
Sheldon's influence extends beyond the page. He serves as a guest conductor for All-State and Regional Honor Bands, leads clinics at universities and state music education conferences, and has conducted his own works in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center. His international conducting experience spans Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, and China. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education.
Why we love this
Sheldon takes two iconic Christmas melodies and weaves them together with genuine musical sophistication, never talking down to young ensembles. At Grade 1.5, this arrangement proves that accessible writing and creative arranging aren't mutually exclusive—your students get vibrant colors and smart voice leading without grinding through technical obstacles. The pairing itself is inspired: 'The Carol of the Bells' and 'We Three Kings' sit naturally side by side in 3/4, giving bands a concert piece with real personality and programming flexibility.
What to expect
Warm and festive, yet refined. The combination of 'The Carol of the Bells' and 'We Three Kings' creates a piece that feels like a complete musical thought rather than a medley. The 3/4 framework gives it a flowing, lyrical quality that newer ensembles can inhabit without struggle.
Who it's for
Beginning to early intermediate concert bands looking for a holiday selection that respects young players' developing technique while delivering genuine musicality. Directors seeking a Grade 1.5 piece that programs cleanly and builds ensemble confidence through recognizable, singable material.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the carol melodies so both tunes remain distinct even when they interweave. The familiarity of these melodies means audiences will notice if one gets buried.
- Lock in the 3/4 meter early in rehearsal. Young ensembles sometimes rush or drag waltz time, so establish a steady, natural pulse before adding the orchestration details.
- Shape phrases with gentle dynamics rather than abrupt changes. The colorful scoring will do much of the work for you; let it breathe by resisting the urge to overstate transitions between sections.
How to use it
This works equally well as a holiday concert opener or closer, depending on your program arc. Its moderate length and Grade 1.5 difficulty make it an ideal second or third piece when you want to show growth without losing the audience's attention. It also pairs naturally with other seasonal selections if you're programming a full winter concert.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady 3/4 meter and phrasing in waltz time
- Voice independence when two familiar melodies interweave
- Dynamic control and sensitive balance across a full concert band texture
- Intonation and blend in sustained harmonic passages
- Recognition of form through melodic themes rather than key changes