Angels! (Medley): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Keith Christopher
Item: 35-PK00029084
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Description
Three favorite carols combine to create a Christmas showcase with a contemporary flair! Rhythmic energy brims in this 3-minute setting with unexpected lifts and choral fanfares. Includes: "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Performance Time: Approx. 3:00.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00029084
More about this title
About the Artist: Keith Christopher
Keith Christopher has built a career as one of the most prolific composers and arrangers working in choral and instrumental music today. Since 1992, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers has recognized his work with yearly awards, and his Gold Record for "A Merry Christmas with Brass" featuring The Dallas Brass stands as a milestone in his output. He holds a Dove Award for his choral collection "More Songs for Praise and Worship" and has placed hundreds of pieces with major publishers, earning performances across the globe.
Beyond composition, Christopher has shaped the recorded sound of American sacred and concert music, producing over a thousand recordings for publishers. He is also an author, having written the children's book "The First Christmas Night." He and his wife, Tammy, live in the Nashville area, where he continues to create music that reaches choirs, bands, and orchestras at every level.
Why we love this
Christopher takes three beloved carols and strips away the expected reverence, injecting driving rhythms and sharp orchestral gestures that keep audiences engaged. The three-minute arc moves with momentum rather than lingering, and the choral fanfares create genuine moments of lift that feel earned rather than imposed. This is what happens when an arranger respects the melodies but refuses to let them sit still.
What to expect
Contemporary energy meets carol warmth. The piece crackles with unexpected harmonic turns and orchestral punch while the melodies remain instantly recognizable, creating a sound that feels both fresh and grounded in tradition. Three minutes of forward momentum punctuated by moments where the full ensemble locks together in satisfying unison.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a Christmas showcase that appeals to modern ears without abandoning tradition will find this ideal for general audiences. Children's choirs and youth orchestras benefit from the rhythmic clarity and shorter duration, while schools with strong instrumental programs can lean into the orchestral color.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the rhythmic energy in the percussion and bass lines; if the accompaniment lags, the whole medley loses its contemporary spark.
- Shape the transitions between carols as deliberate architectural moments, not fade-outs. Each shift should feel intentional.
- Let the fanfares breathe. These choral bursts work best when singers have clarity of articulation and vertical alignment with the orchestra.
- Balance the choir forward in the mix without drowning the orchestral detail; Christopher's arranging thrives on interplay between sections.
How to use it
Place this as the centerpiece of a Christmas concert where you want to signal that holiday music can be vital and immediate rather than reverential. It pairs well with quieter, more introspective carols on the same program, offering contrast without tonal whiplash. The compact runtime makes it excellent as a final opener or a strategic break before a longer work.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in ensemble contexts with syncopated figures
- Rapid transitions between distinct musical sections
- Balancing independent orchestral lines with choral entrances
- Sustaining energy through fast harmonic rhythm
- Articulation clarity at quicker tempos