Greg Gilpin brings three decades of choral expertise to his work as a composer, arranger, and conductor. His music has been performed across prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall, earning him recognition as an ASCAP award-winning artist and Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press. He holds leadership roles in ACDA and NAfME, and his recent film scoring work has garnered awards recognition.
Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin expanded his professional reach in 2020 by becoming a certified financial coach and organizing specialist, launching Maestro Organizing and appearing on network television and the acclaimed series Hoarders. His collaborative projects have included a world premiere arrangement of "What Child is This?" with opera singer Angela Brown and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, showcasing his ability to bridge classical traditions with fresh musical perspectives.
Why we love this
Gilpin's gift for weaving familiar melodies into seamless, singable arrangements shines here. The medley format gives you genuine variety without the logistical headache of programming separate pieces, and his sophisticated yet accessible voice leading keeps all four parts engaged throughout. You get the warmth of traditional carols with the musical substance your singers deserve.
What to expect
Warm, familiar, and genuinely joyful without veering into sentimentality. Gilpin's orchestration respects the quiet beauty of these beloved carols while adding enough harmonic interest to keep singers engaged. There's a sense of tradition honored but also refreshed.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits choirs with solid four-part reading skills and at least one season of ensemble experience. It works equally well for community choirs seeking substantial holiday programming and school choirs wanting to maintain musical integrity during the December concert calendar.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the soprano line carefully during moments when it carries the primary melody; the inner voices deserve clarity too, so avoid letting the top voice overwhelm the SATB texture.
Record a rehearsal run-through of the entire medley to identify transitions between sections. Flag any tempo shifts or key changes that need conductor reinforcement.
Attend to vowel consistency across sections, especially if the medley modulates. A unified vowel shape helps maintain blend when the harmonic landscape shifts.
Let the accompaniment anchor your rhythmic foundation during the first read-through. Once your singers are secure, you can gradually reclaim more interpretive freedom.
How to use it
Open your winter concert with this medley to establish a welcoming tone and showcase your choir's blend and balance. Its ten pages give you substantial content that feels like multiple pieces without requiring transitions between separate selections, making it ideal for when rehearsal time is squeezed by holiday schedules.
Skills your students will build
Sustaining musical focus across a medley structure with multiple key areas
Blend and balance within SATB voicing across stylistic shifts
Managing modulations and transitions between melodic sections
Interpreting rubato and slight tempo flexibility within a traditionally grounded arrangement
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