And Bless Us Every One: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Holiday programs need musical variety, and this medley delivers it in spades without overcomplicating your rehearsal schedule. Owens has the gift of making stylistically diverse arrangements coexist naturally in one piece, so your band experiences genuine contrasts in texture and character rather than feeling like a grab bag. At Grade 2.5, accessibility never means blandness; the Middle Eastern flavor, lyrical warmth, and swing groove each get their moment to shine.

This medley moves through three distinct emotional and stylistic territories with fluidity. You'll experience the exotic warmth of a reimagined God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, the peaceful introspection of Still, Still, Still, and the infectious energy of a swinging spiritual, each sounding intentionally crafted rather than hastily stitched together.

High school and middle school concert bands looking for a cohesive holiday program piece that showcases stylistic range and musical substance. Directors seeking Grade 2.5 repertoire that engages audiences without requiring extended rehearsal time will find the variety and accessible writing particularly valuable.

• Balance the timbre shift when moving into the Middle Eastern section of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. Owens has crafted a distinctive sound here, so clarify which colors should emerge and where the melody voice sits relative to supporting harmonies.
• Let Still, Still, Still breathe. The lyrical character depends on clean phrasing and space between phrases; use this section to reset the band's approach to legato playing after the opening material.
• Lock the rhythmic pocket in Go, Tell It on the Mountain by having the rhythm section establish the swing feel early. The fun factor depends on genuine groove, not just fast notes.

Position this as your program's centerpiece; it has the musical weight and style variety to anchor a holiday concert without requiring filler around it. Pair it with lighter seasonal selections before and after, or let it stand as a substantial standalone feature that captures both the reflective and celebratory sides of holiday programming.

• Stylistic shifting between Middle Eastern, lyrical, and swing idioms
• Melodic shaping and phrasing in contrasting musical contexts
• Rhythmic precision in swing feel and syncopated passages
• Balance and voice independence across different harmonic textures
• Ensemble blend when transitioning between tonal colors and orchestrations