A Swingin' Christmas: TTBB Choral Octavo

Althouse crafts swing arrangements that actually work for men's choirs without requiring virtuosic soloists or impossible ranges. The jazzy harmonies land solidly in the TTBB format while keeping the holiday spirit front and center, giving your ensemble a chance to explore modern choral writing styles during a season when most repertoire defaults to traditional arrangements.

A polished lounge vibe meets Christmas cheer, with jazzy harmonies that feel both playful and surprisingly sophisticated. The swing rhythm and memorable melodies create an evening-out energy rather than a hymn-like reverence, letting the ensemble have fun while sounding genuinely musical.

Men's choirs looking to showcase a lighter, more contemporary side of holiday music and audiences tired of predictable Christmas arrangements. This octavo works equally well for a dedicated TTBB ensemble or a section of a larger mixed choir performing a holiday concert with varied styles.

• Lock in the swing feel early by having the rhythm section (or full ensemble on early run-throughs) sing straight eighth notes while the melody plays swing eighth notes; this rhythmic anchor prevents the piece from sliding into a straight ballad feel.
• Balance the novelty factor with genuine musicianship by treating the jazzy harmonies with the same care you would traditional voicing; sloppy jazz writing sounds cheap, but clean swing chords sound sophisticated.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to help singers internalize the groove and coordinate entrances, especially if your men are less experienced with swing style.
• Keep the tempo flexible enough to accommodate text clarity without rushing; swing style often feels slower than it actually is, so a relaxed quarter note pulse prevents breathlessness.

Slot this into the second half of a holiday concert to shift the mood from traditional carols to something contemporary and energetic. It also works well as a self-contained concert highlight that can stand alone or anchor a shorter pops-style program.

• Singing swing eighth-note rhythms with precise feel and consistency
• Voicing jazz harmonies accurately within the TTBB range
• Balancing ensemble blend in close harmonies
• Interpreting style markings specific to swing arrangement conventions