A Christmas Hymn: Score
Arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002102
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Description
Based upon the traditional carol "Away in a Manger," this setting, subtitled "Till Morning Is Nigh," explores contemporary harmonies and textures. The carol is structured in 4/4 time as opposed to the customary 3/4 time, which allows the listener to enjoy the melody from a totally new perspective. This innovative arrangement will complete any holiday program.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Christmas Hymn: 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:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
148
SKU:
00-PR-0002102
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith has established himself as a leading voice in concert band and orchestral composition, with more than 400 published works to his name. His education in music education from Troy State University and graduate study at the University of Miami prepared him for a career that would span continents; his original compositions and arrangements have been performed across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and beyond.
Smith's output ranges from full-length symphonies like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey to carefully crafted works for developing ensembles such as The Tempest, all of which have become staples in the band repertoire. His music has appeared on major television broadcasts, from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the Olympic Games, and his work as both conductor and clinician has taken him to Japan, Canada, Austria, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Why we love this
Smith reimagines a beloved melody by placing it in 4/4 time, a deceptively simple choice that forces your band to hear a familiar carol with fresh ears. The contemporary harmonic language and textural variety keep Grade 2 musicians engaged without overwhelming them, and the result sits perfectly in a holiday program where it stands apart from traditional treatments.
What to expect
A carol suspended between tradition and innovation. The familiar tune anchors listeners while contemporary harmonies and the shift from 3/4 to 4/4 create an unexpected intimacy, as though you're discovering the melody anew on a quiet winter night.
Who it's for
Conductors building a holiday program who want to move beyond conventional carols and introduce their Grade 2 band to fresh harmonic thinking. This arrangement rewards developing musicians with a recognizable melody while asking them to navigate contemporary textures and a new metric framework.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the harmony parts so the melody reads clearly even when supported by richer chords. Grade 2 players often press inner voices too hard out of enthusiasm.
- Experiment with the tempo to let the 4/4 phrasing breathe. The meter change from the original 3/4 structure opens different possibilities for phrase length and breath points.
- Shape the contemporary harmonies deliberately rather than playing them straight. Small dynamic inflections in the accompaniment figures will bring out the harmonic color Smith has written.
How to use it
Position this as the reflective centerpiece of your holiday concert, perhaps between more energetic seasonal pieces. Its accessible difficulty level and striking harmonic approach make it an ideal opener or closer, offering audiences a moment to settle into the concert experience.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and playing in 4/4 time signatures (metric flexibility)
- Balancing harmony voices to support a primary melody
- Interpreting contemporary harmonic language and dissonance
- Shaping long phrases and managing breath placement across a full arrangement
- Identifying and executing dynamic and textural contrasts within a single melodic line