Bell Carol a la Big Band: Score
Arr. Rob Romeyn
Grade: 3.5 (Medium)
Item: 00-PR-0001799
$11.00
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Description
The folk melody "Ukrainian Bell Carol" was sung in many Ukrainian villages in celebration of the New Year. "Bell Carol a la Big Band" is a fresh and clever treatment of the traditional carol. Contemporary harmonies are used throughout, and the infectious "Jazz Waltz Swing" feel makes this arrangement distinctively hip and cool. This is the favorite "Bell Carol" set in a way unlike any other arrangement you have heard before! (2:53)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Bell Carol a la Big Band: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
262
SKU:
00-PR-0001799
More about this title
Why we love this
Rob Romeyn's arrangement captures something that eluded most previous treatments of this carol: genuine swing. The contemporary harmonies never overshadow the melody's resilience, and the Jazz Waltz feel is infectious without sounding forced or gimmicky. Your band will enjoy playing something that sounds genuinely modern and cool while still honoring the carol's folk roots.
What to expect
Walking into a sophisticated jazz club on a snowy evening. The melody arrives familiar and comforting, but the harmonies underneath are unexpected and smart. There's warmth, sophistication, and genuine joy without a trace of sentimentality.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the 3.5 grade level looking for a winter holiday piece that sounds completely fresh. This works well for ensembles with solid fundamentals who are ready to dig into jazz articulation and swing feel without extensive jazz ensemble experience.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the lilt of the Jazz Waltz swing feel by keeping the rhythm section relaxed and conversational. Tight ensemble doesn't mean rigid; let the pulse breathe.
- Balance the contemporary harmonies with clear articulation in the inner voices so the harmonic color registers without muddying the texture.
- Support the soloist or featured section with warmth rather than accompaniment. This arrangement thrives on musical conversation between layers.
How to use it
Program this as your winter concert opener or closer to signal that holiday music doesn't mean traditional. The runtime of 2:53 gives it weight on the program, and its contemporary energy balances beautifully alongside more traditional selections. It also makes an excellent standalone holiday performance piece for community or special events.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz waltz swing articulation and rhythmic feel
- Reading and balancing contemporary harmonic language
- Ensemble balance in multi-textured arrangements
- Phrasing and musical conversation in ensemble sections