A Latin Christmas: 1st Percussion
Traditional / arr. Bob Phillips
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PC-0000957_PC1
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Description
The beat just won't stop in this Latin setting of three traditional Christmas carols. The familiar melodies of each carol, "Joy to the World," "Good King Wenceslas" and "Angels We Have Heard on High," are set in the distinctive Latin rhythms of the rumba, the bossa nova and the cha-cha. An easy D Major tune, all strings stay in first position and, with the exception of the drumset, the percussion is playable by members of the string section. A sure crowd pleaser and parents will love watching each child play the melody!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Latin Christmas: 1st Percussion 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:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
70
SKU:
00-PC-0000957_PC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips has shaped string education for decades through his work as a composer, arranger, and conductor. Born in 1953, he spent 27 years building the Saline, Michigan string program into a nationally recognized model, eventually directing over 700 students across classical and contemporary styles. He founded the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, which became internationally known for its 80+ annual performances and appearances at the White House and Midwest Clinic.
Phillips has authored 25+ educational book series, including all six levels of Sound Innovations and groundbreaking style-focused publications like Latin Philharmonic, Jazz Philharmonic, and Rock Philharmonic. Over 200 of his works have been published for orchestras and bands, earning him recognition as an ASCAP award-winning composer. His instructional videos, String Clinics to Go, remain widely used in schools, and he has conducted at all-state orchestras, youth symphonies, and festivals across the United States and Australia.
Why we love this
Phillips knows exactly how to make traditional carols sound fresh and exciting without sacrificing playability at Grade 2.5. The Latin rhythms (rumba, bossa nova, cha-cha) feel authentic rather than cartoonish, and the first-position-only writing means your students focus on phrasing and ensemble precision rather than wrestling with technique. Your audience leaves impressed by what young string players can achieve when given music that engages them intellectually and rhythmically.
What to expect
Warm, swaying, and irresistible. The familiar carols arrive with a heartbeat underneath them, transforming "Joy to the World" into something that makes you move and giving "Angels We Have Heard on High" a gentle samba lilt. Parents watching from the audience will recognize every melody immediately, but the Latin seasoning reminds them that string music can feel alive and modern.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2 to 3 level looking for repertoire that connects to family audiences and holiday concerts. Directors who want to build Latin rhythmic vocabulary and style awareness while keeping fingering accessible. Students who respond to grooves and contemporary color beyond traditional classical arrangements.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the Latin pulse clearly in rehearsal before adding melody; have students feel the clave or tumbao pattern internally, even when they're playing the tune itself.
- Balance the percussion carefully so it supports the rhythm section without drowning the string melody; the drumset should sit in the mix like a color, not a spotlight.
- Differentiate the three carols in tempo and articulation to keep the medley moving; "Joy to the World" (rumba) can feel driving, "Good King Wenceslas" (bossa nova) should breathe gently, and "Angels We Have Heard on High" (cha-cha) can sparkle.
How to use it
A natural choice for winter concerts when you want to balance traditional holiday repertoire with something unexpected and engaging. Pair it with a classical carol arrangement or a contemporary piece to show the range of your ensemble. The three-movement structure also works well in a shorter concert slot or as a crowd-pleasing finale that leaves audiences smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Executing steady Latin rhythms (rumba, bossa nova, cha-cha clave patterns)
- Reading and responding to percussion-driven accompaniment
- Maintaining melodic phrasing over syncopated accompaniment
- Recognizing and playing within stylistic conventions of world music genres
- Balancing ensemble sound between strings and percussion parts