John Leavitt has built a career as a prolific arranger and composer with deep roots in choral writing. His work spans sacred and secular repertoire, and he brings a musician's ear for singability and accessibility to every score he touches. Leavitt understands what works in the rehearsal room and what will resonate with audiences; his arrangements balance musical substance with practical considerations for student ensembles.
Why we love this
Leavitt's gift for making holiday music feel genuinely festive without resorting to simplification shines here. The SSA voicing works beautifully for mixed-ability choirs, and the orchestration choices in the accompaniment lift the piece beyond what many directors expect from a secular Christmas setting.
What to expect
Warmth and infectious good cheer define this setting. The harmonic language is accessible without feeling thin, and the accompaniment provides rhythmic drive that keeps the piece moving with genuine merriment rather than saccharine sweetness.
Who it's for
This arrangement fits choirs with solid intonation and enough rehearsal time to shape musical phrasing. It works equally well for high school programs looking for a secular holiday piece with some substance and community or collegiate ensembles adding festive repertoire to a concert.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the melody line across your section leaders; the tune sits comfortably for SSA but needs consistent projection to carry over the accompaniment
Find the energy in the rhythm rather than rushing. Leavitt writes with rhythmic drive that reads faster than it actually sits, so lock the tempo early in rehearsals
Layer your rehearsals by learning the piano score first, then adding harmony parts. This piece rewards singers who understand how their voice relates to the accompaniment
Attend to dynamic shape in the sections that build. These moments can feel like plateau if singers aren't actively moving toward marked swell points
How to use it
Position this as an anchor for your holiday concert opening or closing, depending on your program flow. It pairs well with either classical sacred settings or other secular seasonal fare, and the 15-page score fits neatly into a concert that mixes genres and styles.
Skills your students will build
Blending SSA voicing to create cohesive harmonic color
Maintaining rhythmic precision across ensemble while honoring dynamic shape
Reading and responding to piano accompaniment cues
Executing clean diction in a secular, energetic setting
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