A Jolly, Jazzy Christmas: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Douglas E. Wagner (incorporating "Deck the Hall" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas")
Level: Moderate
Item: 00-PO-0006812
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
As the title indicates, Douglas E. Wagner has incorporated a slick, jazzy feel into this original to using two favorites: "Deck the Hall" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas." It's a delightful light programming addition to any holiday concert.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Studio PR Catalog
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006812
More about this title
About the Composer: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Butler University. He spent three decades as a high school music director and administrator before committing fully to composition in the 1970s.
Since 1973, Wagner has published more than 3,500 works spanning choir, concert band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, and voice. His music has reached global audiences through concert performances, radio broadcasts, and television programs, with over seventeen million copies in circulation worldwide. He currently lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy.
Why we love this
Wagner's gift for blending accessible energy with genuine musical craftsmanship shines here. The mash-up of two beloved carols filtered through a jazz lens gives your singers something fresh to sink their teeth into, while the moderate difficulty keeps rehearsal time realistic. It's the kind of piece that audiences remember long after the concert ends, and your choir gets to have genuine fun performing it.
What to expect
Bright and swinging, with just enough harmonic sophistication to keep things interesting. The medley structure lets familiar melodies breathe in a new context, creating that satisfying moment when singers and listeners recognize the source material reimagined through a cool, jazzy lens.
Who it's for
Two-part choirs at the middle school level and beyond will find this engaging and manageable. It works equally well for less experienced high school singers or community choirs looking for contemporary holiday material with personality.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the jazz phrasing by allowing slight rhythmic freedom in the syncopated sections; resist locking everything into a metronomic beat, which will flatten the groove.
- Balance the two melodic lines so neither completely disappears when they interweave; spotlight one voice part briefly, then bring the other into equal prominence.
- Commit to the harmonic rhythm of the jazz chords. Even in a light piece, precise rhythm section clarity (if you're using accompaniment) or crisp ensemble attacks elevate the whole performance.
How to use it
Use this as a concert-opener or mid-program brightener to shift energy and mood from more traditional holiday fare. It pairs naturally with classical or sacred selections, offering contrast that keeps audiences engaged across a full winter concert.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a jazz idiom
- Balancing two independent melodic lines in close harmony
- Understanding the relationship between traditional melodies and contemporary harmonic treatments