A Christmas Festival, Highlights from: Score
By Leroy Anderson / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PR-0003331
$11.00
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Description
This arrangement is scored for intermediate-level full orchestra; however, it is also completely playable by string orchestra alone, or with any number of added winds or percussion. Shortened from the original version by approximately 50%, it contains the popular carols "Joy to the World," "Good King Wenceslas," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Silent Night," "Jingle Bells," and "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Christmas Festival, Highlights from: 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:
Pop Intermediate String/Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
238
SKU:
00-PR-0003331
Instrumentation:
full (bells/chimes, timp, snare/bass/triangle/sleighbells/crashcym, vln3)
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 and film scores. His gift for accessible melody, rhythmic vitality, and orchestral color made him a fixture of American popular music and concert halls. Anderson's arrangements of holiday standards and familiar tunes became staples in school orchestras and professional ensembles alike, demonstrating his ability to honor tradition while creating fresh, engaging versions that work across skill levels.
Why we love this
Michael Story's reduction captures the spirit and melodic joy of Anderson's original without sacrificing orchestral character. The 50% shorter length makes it practical for holiday concerts without losing the sectional variety and festive energy that keeps audiences engaged. Six beloved carols woven together give you recognizable material that players enjoy learning and audiences want to hear.
What to expect
Festive and crafted. This isn't children's music dressed up as concert material; it's a genuine orchestral arrangement that respects both the carols and Anderson's compositional voice. There's warmth and clarity throughout, with moments of gentle sophistication nestled between the more exuberant numbers.
Who it's for
Orchestra directors looking for a single, flexible holiday piece that works for intermediate ensembles with or without a full complement of winds and percussion. String orchestra directors can perform it as written with just strings, or add reinforcement gradually as other sections become available.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring out the counter-melodies in the inner voices; they're crucial to Anderson's orchestral texture and prevent the familiar carols from sounding one-dimensional.
- Balance the percussion carefully, especially sleighbells and chimes. They should sparkle without overwhelming the melodic line.
- Let the string section anchor the harmony. Since this arrangement works beautifully as strings-only, those parts need confidence and independence.
- Find the character shifts between pieces. Moving from the stately 'Joy to the World' into the playfulness of 'Jingle Bells' requires attention to tempo and articulation changes.
How to use it
Program this as a closer for a winter concert, where its familiar melodies and uplifting finish send audiences home content. It also works as an opener if you want to establish a festive mood early and transition into deeper or more challenging repertoire afterward. The compact length makes it an excellent addition to a pops concert or community holiday event.
Skills your students will build
- Reading multiple articulation and dynamic changes across sections
- Balancing ensemble color when optional parts are added or removed
- Maintaining consistent tempo through sectional transitions
- Voice independence in arrangements with counter-melodies and inner-part movement