A Christmas Festival: SATB Choral Octavo
By Leroy Anderson / arr. Russell Robinson
Item: 00-PO-0002767
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival has long been a staple of concert performances for both bands and orchestras. Russ Robinson has created SATB choral settings that can be used in performance. Sure to enhance any Christmas concert!
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Additional Details
Series:
Studio PR
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0002767
Instrumentation:
Concert Band
More about this title
About the Composer: Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was an American composer and conductor best known for his light orchestral works that bridged classical and popular music. His gift for memorable melody and orchestration made his music accessible to concert audiences while maintaining genuine musical substance. Anderson's Christmas Festival stands among his most frequently performed holiday compositions, beloved by musicians and audiences alike for its festive energy and clever arrangements of seasonal themes.
Why we love this
Russell L. Robinson's choral setting preserves the orchestral brilliance of Anderson's original while making it genuinely singable for mixed ensembles. This arrangement lets your choir claim ownership of a concert staple that's typically dominated by instrumental groups, and the eight-page format keeps rehearsal time manageable while delivering real festive impact.
What to expect
Bright, celebratory, and energetic, with the genuine charm that made Anderson's orchestral works so enduring. The piece sparkles with melodic wit and festive orchestration reimagined for voices, creating an approachable yet polished sound that lifts any holiday concert.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits any mixed choir preparing holiday programming, from community choirs and church music programs to school choral ensembles. It works equally well as a standalone choral moment or as part of a larger holiday concert featuring both instrumental and vocal music.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the text underlay carefully; Anderson's melodies are primarily instrumental in character, so clear diction helps audiences follow the familiar tune through new words.
- The accompaniment parts are written for concert band, so coordinate with your instrumental ensemble early if you plan a joint performance, or consider using a recorded accompaniment if performing the octavo independently.
- Balance the part writing so soloistic or featured melodic lines cut through the harmony; Anderson's orchestration often highlighted individual instrumental colors that SATB voice distribution should preserve.
- Lean into the rhythmic precision and holiday spirit of the piece; Anderson's phrasing was crisp and energetic, not romantic or heavily sustained.
How to use it
Position this as a strong centerpiece in your December concert, either opening the second half or anchoring the holiday repertoire section. The combination of familiarity and freshness makes it an excellent choice for engaging audiences while showing your choir's versatility and musicianship.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with crisp rhythmic precision in a non-legit style
- Part independence in homophonic and contrapuntal textures
- Phrase shaping within melodically driven material
- Blending with instrumental accompaniment or recorded parts
- Diction clarity when singing unfamiliar text to familiar instrumental melodies