Angels We Have Remixed: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Brian Bankston's arrangement captures what young string players crave: a familiar melody they recognize, but treated with enough contemporary energy that they feel cool playing it. The pop beat and hip-hop breakdown keep the piece from feeling like a museum piece, while the limited ranges ensure students can focus on ensemble accuracy rather than wrestling with extended positions. This is the kind of holiday programming that actually generates enthusiasm from your orchestra.

Fresh and playful. The familiar carol melody anchors the piece while contemporary production elements (pop beat, hip-hop flavor) give it irreverent energy. It's reverent enough for the holidays but undeniably modern, creating a sonic experience that young string players rarely encounter in classical repertoire.

String orchestras at the Grade 2 level looking to program something that feels current and engaging without overwhelming beginning players. Directors seeking a holiday piece that will energize both ensemble and audience; this arrangement proves Christmas music can be fun without sacrificing musicality.

• Establish the pop beat clearly in rehearsal before layering in the melody. Count it in as a steady pulse, not classical timing, so the ensemble locks into the groove.
• Address the hip-hop breakdown section specifically. Mark the rhythmic figures in parts so no one is caught off-guard by the style shift; this moment is where the arrangement shines, so own it.
• Keep articulation crisp and consistent across the orchestra during the updated harmony sections. The modern chord progressions need clarity to land with the audience.

Close your holiday concert with this piece to leave the audience smiling and energized. It works perfectly as a contrast to more traditional seasonal selections earlier in the program, signaling to listeners that you're celebrating the season on your own terms. The accessible difficulty means you can program it confidently even in a mixed-level concert.

• Playing to a steady pop/hip-hop beat rather than traditional classical pulse
• Reading and executing rhythmic figures within contemporary music styles
• Maintaining ensemble blend while navigating updated harmonic progressions
• Stylistic awareness of contrasting sections (verse vs. breakdown)