A Winter Carol: 2-Part Choral Octavo
A Partner Song with "The Huron Carol"
Arr. Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid
Item: 00-PO-0004288
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
If you are looking for a partner song to develop part singing in your younger choir this winter, then A Winter Carol is right on target. Well known writing team Mary Donnelly and George Strid have expertly constructed this learning and performance song using the traditional Canadian Huron Carol. It's a well-crafted combination of two melodies, each with limited, accessible ranges. Feature a young percussionist on the optional, easy-to-play drum part (included in the publication), or add a "world music" feel with the SoundTrax CD.
A Winter Carol: 2-Part Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004288
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mary Donnelly
Mary Donnelly earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno with majors in English and French, then returned to school for music teacher certification. She completed a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her studies centered on integrating the arts across the curriculum. She spent thirty years teaching general music and choir in the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada, and holds memberships in ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP.
George L. O. Strid became Donnelly's writing partner in 1985 when they were asked to co-teach a sixth grade general music class. Their principal challenged them to compose a musical for Reading Week, which launched a prolific collaboration spanning more than two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. Their work together continues to serve music educators seeking accessible, engaging repertoire for young singers.
Why we love this
Donnelly and Strid understand exactly what younger choirs need: two independent melodic lines that feel substantial without stretching singers' ranges, anchored by a melody students already know. The pairing of accessible writing with the Huron Carol gives your singers a cultural touchstone while building their confidence in part singing, and the optional percussion part provides a natural entry point for your youngest ensemble members to contribute rhythmically.
What to expect
A Winter Carol brings warmth and simplicity to a melody many singers may recognize, grounding it in accessible harmonies that feel natural rather than forced. The piece carries the quiet dignity of its source material while maintaining an inviting, participatory spirit that encourages young singers to engage fully rather than merely follow along.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves choirs in elementary and early middle school settings where singers are developing basic two-part independence. It works equally well for directors building confidence in readers who are encountering partner songs for the first time or preparing a winter concert that draws on multicultural traditions.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the two melodic lines by rehearsing them separately first, ensuring each section owns their melody before blending. This prevents the tendency to default to unison.
- If using the optional drum part, assign it early in rehearsals so your percussionist has time to integrate the rhythm naturally with the choral sections.
- Shape phrases through subtle dynamic shifts rather than dramatic contrasts; younger singers often respond better to questions about where the melody wants to breathe than to loud-soft instructions.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a winter concert's multicultural or sacred music segment, where it can stand alongside other cultural traditions or as a standalone statement of seasonal gathering. Its two-part transparency also makes it an effective teaching piece midyear, giving your choir concrete evidence of their growing musicianship when performed for families or other classes.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and sustaining independent melodic lines in a two-part texture
- Maintaining secure pitch while blending with another part
- Interpreting musical phrasing through breath and dynamic shaping
- Understanding partner songs as a compositional structure