A Touch of Christmas: Suite 1: Concert Band Conductor Score

Applebaum's ear for countermelody and harmonic color shines here. He treats four familiar carols not as museum pieces but as springboards for genuine musical invention, giving conductors and players something that feels contemporary without abandoning the heart of the originals. Grade 4 bands can execute the full arrangement without wrestling technical demands that would obscure the music itself.

Warmth with sophistication. These carols arrive dressed in unexpected harmonic colors and accompanied by witty countermelodies that catch you by surprise. The overall effect is festive and elegant rather than thin or overly contemporary.

Conductors programming holiday concerts who want to offer their ensemble something musical and refreshing beyond the standard carol arrangements. This score works well for bands seeking repertoire that honors tradition while avoiding the formulaic approach that dominates seasonal programming.

• Balance the playful countermelodies so they dance around rather than compete with the main carol lines; this clarity of texture is what gives the suite its sparkle.
• Let the harmonic freshness breathe by maintaining steady, unhurried tempos through key sections; rushing flattens the new harmonic twists.
• Shape phrase endings carefully across the four movements to maintain a sense of forward motion, especially in transitions between carols.

Use this as a featured moment in a holiday concert, especially paired with a mix of traditional and modern seasonal works. The suite's playful character also works well as a concert opener, setting a celebratory tone that draws audiences in immediately.

• Balancing independent melodic lines within a thicker harmonic texture
• Responding to non-traditional harmonic progressions while maintaining phrase shape
• Sustaining ensemble blend across varied instrumental combinations
• Executing smooth transitions between contrasting musical ideas