An opening solo sets the stage for what unfurls into a pizzazzy listicle of holiday decorations, characters, treats, attire . . . stuff! Andy's musical theater style shines from the moment the curtain parts to the final kickline. This holiday showstopper craves choreography, so check out the free ChoreoTrax or design your own razzmatazz routine. A sparkling, twinkling gem of jolly that pulls out all the stops!
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Andy Beck leads Alfred Music's choral publications division and has established himself as one of the most performed contemporary choral composers in America. His catalog includes over 450 works spanning secular and sacred styles, vocal method books like Sing at First Sight and Vocalize!, and a steady stream of children's musicals that have become repertoire staples in schools nationwide.
Beyond the printed page, Beck maintains an active conducting and choreography practice, serving as clinician and adjudicator for honor choirs and all-state groups across the country. He holds degrees in music education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, and has contributed his tenor voice to musical theater productions and chamber choirs while maintaining his role as a studio singer for Alfred since 1992. His dual commitment to composition and music education keeps his writing grounded in what actually works in rehearsal.
Why we love this
Beck writes theatrical choral moments that make singers want to move and audiences want to cheer. The format here, where a solo launch gives way to a catalog of holiday imagery set to musical theater swagger, sidesteps the tired reverence that dominates most holiday programming while still landing the festive goods.
What to expect
Bright and mischievous, like a catalog of Christmas nostalgia filtered through a comedic lens. The orchestration sparkles without sentimentality, and the energy propels forward with the kind of theatrical momentum that makes an audience sit up and pay attention.
Who it's for
Directors programming holiday concerts who want material with genuine stage presence and comedic timing rather than another reverent arrangement. This works for choirs with at least basic comfort in contemporary idioms and access to ensemble space for movement work.
How to get the most out of it
Treat the opening solo as your narrative hook; give it a star singer who can commit to the character Beck establishes, because the ensemble's energy will follow that lead.
The pizzicato writing and rhythmic drive demand clarity in diction, so isolate any tricky text phrases in rehearsal before choreography becomes the focus.
Lean into the theatrical impulse rather than playing it safe; the piece is built for commitment, so encourage your singers to match their physicality to the buoyancy of the orchestration.
If you use the free ChoreoTrax, rehearse it separately from the music first so singers aren't juggling new choreography and new parts simultaneously.
How to use it
Open a concert with this; its solo-to-tutti structure and built-in showmanship give you a strong first impression that sets a lighter, more playful tone for whatever follows. Alternatively, use it as a second-half opener after a block of more contemplative material to shift the audience's mood.
Skills your students will build
Theatrical clarity in articulation and diction within fast-moving text
Rhythmic precision in contemporary choral writing with pizzicato and syncopated figures
Coordination of singing with choreographed movement
Solo performance confidence within an ensemble context
Character interpretation and emotional commitment in secular repertoire
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