A One-Horse Open Sleigh (In a Jingly Minor Way): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Greg Gilpin
Item: 35-PK01574795
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Description
A "jingly minor way" is exactly what this original work brings to a performance using the familiar lyrics of Pierpont's "Jingle Bells." Animated and rhythmic writing between vocal lines creates a vibrant setting with harmonies in a minor mode; all above a bouncing piano accompaniment suitable for the addition of sleigh bells and the optional available rhythmic parts. This enthusiastic work will bring down the house and be a favorite for years to come.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01574795
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin holds the position of Director of Educational Choral Publications at Shawnee Press and has established himself as both a prolific composer and an accomplished conductor. His performances have taken him across prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall in London, and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. As an ASCAP award-winning composer, Gilpin continues to shape choral music for educational and professional ensembles alike.
Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has diversified his career into film scoring and professional organizing; he composed the award-winning score for the short film "Rosie's Rescue" in 2021 and founded Maestro Organizing, a professional organizing business that has garnered appearances on Fox and NBC affiliates as well as the television show "Hoarders." He remains actively engaged in teaching, conducting, and composing while holding membership in ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and maintaining his status as a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Why we love this
Gilpin's arrangement strips away the overly familiar major-key sentimentality of the traditional tune and replaces it with genuine harmonic sophistication. The minor tonality forces singers to engage with the melody in a fresh way, and the rhythmic interplay between voice parts keeps ensembles engaged throughout, making what could be a tired warhorse into something genuinely interesting to rehearse and perform.
What to expect
Imagine sleigh bells cutting through a minor-key twilight rather than gliding through a snow-covered afternoon in major. The harmonies are darker and more sophisticated than the original, the rhythm section propels everything forward with infectious energy, and the interweaving vocal parts create texture and momentum that keep listeners leaning in.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a contemporary holiday selection that respects their audience's intelligence and their singers' musical growth. Directors who want to program something recognizable but genuinely original will find the minor-key treatment and rhythmic complexity perfectly suited to intermediate and advanced ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Highlight the rhythmic independence between vocal lines by bringing out the countermelodic material; this isn't a unison sing-along, so resist the urge to blend everything into a single sound.
- Lean into the percussive quality of the piano part and encourage your accompanist to keep the rhythm bouncy and precise; adding sleigh bells on top of that foundation will elevate the energy exponentially.
- The minor mode can feel somber in inexperienced hands, so drill dynamic contrast and articulation to keep the piece animated rather than wistful.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary holiday arrangements to demonstrate how familiar material can be reimagined. The optional percussion parts make it versatile for both concert settings and casual performances, and its energy and distinctiveness make it an ideal closing number or concert highlight rather than a throwaway opening piece.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with harmonic independence in a minor tonality
- Maintaining rhythmic precision while parts move in contrasting patterns
- Balancing articulation and dynamic control to maintain energy in lower harmonic contexts
- Coordinating vocal and instrumental rhythmic lines