A Mad Russian's Christmas: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As Performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Music by Paul O'Neill, Robert Kinkel, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky / arr. Bob Phillips and George Megaw
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0006550
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Description
As performed in the fabulous Trans-Siberian Orchestra live concert, experience Tchaikovsky's "Trepak" from The Nutcracker as you never have before. Just as energetic with wind and percussion instruments alone, several included optional parts enhance the authenticity. If you haven't seen TSO, check it out online. If you add lighting effects, there are no better choices for your holiday concert closer! (4:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Mad Russian's Christmas: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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 Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
278
SKU:
00-PK-0006550
More about this title
About the Composer: Paul O'Neill
Paul O'Neill is the creative driving force behind the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the theatrical rock band known for elaborate live productions that blend classical music with contemporary rock instrumentation. His arrangements and compositions have made classical works accessible to audiences far beyond the concert hall, transforming pieces like Tchaikovsky's "Trepak" into arena-sized spectacles. O'Neill's work demonstrates how orchestral color and kinetic energy can coexist in the same piece, a principle that translates directly to the concert band setting.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the visceral excitement of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's live interpretation without requiring strings or synthesizers. At Grade 3, it sits in that sweet spot where students get to play something genuinely thrilling and modern while the writing remains manageable, and the optional parts allow you to scale the instrumentation to your available players.
What to expect
Infectious and driving, with the celebratory chaos of a Russian dance fused with the raw power of rock instrumentation. Expect syncopated rhythms that lock the ensemble into forward momentum and moments of controlled intensity that feel anthemic rather than delicate.
Who it's for
Conductors programming a holiday concert that reaches beyond the traditional repertoire and students ready for music with contemporary rock energy. This works equally well for community bands looking to energize their audience and high school ensembles that want to showcase range beyond classical forms.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish a solid pulse from your percussion section early in rehearsals; the driving rhythm is what makes this arrangement propel forward.
- Balance the melodic content in the woodwinds against the syncopated rhythms in the lower voices so neither overwhelms the other.
- Build dynamic contrast deliberately during the quieter sections to set up the full ensemble moments with maximum impact.
- If you incorporate the optional parts, rehearse them separately first so your core ensemble isn't distracted by doubled or enhanced lines.
How to use it
Position this as your holiday concert finale to send the audience out energized rather than reflective. It pairs well with a more traditional first half, creating a dramatic programming arc that demonstrates your ensemble's stylistic range and technical flexibility.
Skills your students will build
- Driving steady pulse in rock idiom over syncopated accompaniment figures
- Dynamic contrast and control in extended forte passages
- Reading and executing rhythmic precision in a contemporary arrangement style
- Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple voice parts