At Christmas: SSATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: At Christmas: SSATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-23114
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

(A Christmas Sha-na-na)

Music by Andy Beck

Item: 00-23114

$2.25

Shipped

One moment…

It's a blast from the past when your choir sings this fun-filled holiday original by Andy Beck. Your singers and audience will love snapping their fingers and tapping their toes to this do-wop style tune backed up with traditional 50s harmonies and classic "sha-na-nas." And don't miss the clever use of quotes from several popular holiday songs throughout! It's an easy-to-learn a cappella novelty in the SSATB voicing, or feature a crooning soloist with piano accompaniment and back-up singers in the 3-part.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, At Christmas: SSATB, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081222967

SKU: 00-23114

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck leads choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged over 450 choral works now in active circulation. His output spans vocal resources, children's musicals, and foundational sight-singing curricula including Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. His compositions are performed by singers across the globe, a fact confirmed by the consistent stream of performances uploaded to YouTube.

Beyond the publishing desk, Beck works actively as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician in schools and honor choirs throughout the United States and beyond. He holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, sings as a tenor with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, and has served as a studio singer for Alfred Music since 1992. His involvement in musical theatre directing and performance reinforces his commitment to both music literacy and the practical artistry of choral singing.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Beck nails the energy and humor of mid-century vocal style while keeping the piece genuinely singable for mixed choirs at all levels. The doo-wop framework and embedded holiday quotes create instant engagement with your audience, making this an ideal opener or closer for holiday concerts where you want the room laughing and tapping along.

What to expect

Step into a 1950s recording studio where everything sparkles with charm and nostalgia. The doo-wop groove, finger snaps, and toes tapping underfoot create an irresistible lightness, while the familiar holiday song references land like inside jokes your audience will immediately recognize and adore.

Who it's for

Mixed choirs seeking holiday material that entertains without requiring complex arrangements or extended rehearsal time. This works equally well for adult choirs, high school ensembles, and community groups that value both accessibility and musical fun.

How to get the most out of it

Nail the rhythmic precision of the snaps and foot-taps as written; treat them as rhythmic instruments rather than accompaniment.
Let the soloists in the 3-part version own the crooning character; this is meant to feel theatrical and slightly campy.
Balance the 'sha-na-na' backgrounds so they sit behind the main melodic line without drowning out the clever lyrical moments.
Mark the spots where holiday song quotes appear in rehearsal so singers recognize and can lean into those moments with a knowing energy.

How to use it

Open a holiday concert with this piece to set a celebratory, relaxed tone before moving into more traditional carols or heavier repertoire. It also works beautifully as a finale, sending your audience out happy and humming.