Almost Christmas: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Huff's arrangement captures the theatrical energy of Broadway holiday music while keeping the vocal writing straightforward enough for mixed-ability choirs. The 2-part voicing stays singable and stays fun, making this a natural choice when you want festive material that doesn't demand a large or advanced ensemble.

Almost Christmas radiates theatrical warmth and rhythmic bounce. The arrangement has the sparkle and directness of a Broadway number, with enough melodic charm to feel celebratory without veering into saccharine.

Directors building holiday programs for smaller or developing choirs who want genuine Broadway flair without steep technical demands. This works equally well for middle school singers gaining confidence in contemporary styles and high school ensembles looking for clever, ear-friendly material.

• Bring out the character in the text by shaping phrases around the lyrical content rather than resting at every bar line; this keeps the Broadway style energized.
• Work the rhythm section tight early, then let singers hear how their parts sit against the groove so they develop confidence in the syncopation.
• Balance part independence with blend; even in a simple 2-part texture, singers sometimes oversing their own line when they should lock into the overall sound.
• Record a rehearsal run-through and play it back to the choir; hearing themselves helps singers catch when the energy dips or when a phrase loses shape.

Slot this into a holiday concert's contemporary or Broadway segment, or use it as an opener or closer to set a lighter, more entertaining tone. Its 13 pages suggest a substantial feature that can anchor the second half of a concert while giving your singers something genuinely fun to perform.

• Rhythmic precision in Broadway-style syncopation and swing
• Phrase shaping and text projection in a contemporary idiom
• Part independence in 2-part writing with clear melodic voices
• Blend and balance within a small ensemble texture