Around the World @ Christmas Time: Choral Book & 2 CDs

A celebration that hops between continents and musical eras without losing momentum. The songs sparkle with energy; some moments are bright and driving, others warm and reflective, but the overall arc feels like genuine discovery rather than a simple sing-through.

Elementary and middle school choirs tackling a full-length musical for the first time, or programs looking for a secular holiday show with real musical variety. The built-in script, staging ideas, and two CDs make this accessible for directors managing logistics alongside music.

• Lean into the stylistic shifts. Each musical section has its own personality, so rehearse them separately before connecting them as a journey; this keeps the kids sharp on the genre conventions.
• Use the backing tracks to establish groove and energy. Play them frequently in rehearsal so students internalize the arrangements before performance.
• Staging enhances the story of characters emerging from a computer. Incorporate simple set pieces or projection ideas early so movement becomes as intentional as the singing.
• Balance parts during the rock and ragtime numbers where rhythmic clarity matters most. Anchor the percussion and bass lines so the harmonies sit cleanly on top.

Position this as your winter concert centerpiece or holiday assembly performance. The modern framing around a computer and website makes it feel current to students, while the global traditions theme gives context to why Christmas sounds so many different ways around the world.

• Stylistic differentiation across rock, ballad, ragtime, and calypso idioms
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated and driving material
• Dynamic control and phrasing in contrasting tempos
• Ensemble cohesion when multiple styles occur in sequence
• Interpretation of character through vocal and physical expression