Blues for Santa: 1st Mallet Percussion
Arranged by Robert W. Smith
Grade: 3.5
Item: 98-PC-RWS1829_M1
$3.99
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Description
Santa's gonna have your audience singing the blues this year! Master composer/arranger Robert W. Smith has created another fun themed arrangement of "Up on the Roof Top" that will be the centerpiece for your next holiday program. Featuring multiple solos and a sing-along section, this will bring a holiday smile to musician and audience. A great featured arrangement that is perfect to introduce Santa into your holiday concert program!
Original Item#: RWS-1829-00
Original Item#: RWS-1829-00
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Additional Details
Series:
RWS - Concert Band
Publisher:
RWS Music Company
SKU:
98-PC-RWS1829_M1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among America's most recorded composers and arrangers for band and orchestra, with over 400 published works spanning original compositions, arrangements, and pedagogical pieces. His education includes a Bachelor of Music Education from Troy State University and a Master of Music from the University of Miami, training that shaped his gift for writing music that engages both developing and advanced ensembles.
Smith's catalog has traveled globally, from concert halls across Europe, Asia, and Australia to high-profile events including the Olympic Games, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast, and Dodger Stadium. He remains active as a conductor and clinician, bringing his decades of experience to festivals and rehearsals internationally. His symphonic works like The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey have become touchstones in the repertoire, while his arrangements for developing bands prove that accessibility and musical substance go hand in hand.
Why we love this
Smith balances clever musical humor with solid arranging craft here, transforming a familiar tune into something your band will genuinely enjoy playing. The multiple solos and sing-along section give your program a genuine moment of connection between stage and audience, which holiday concerts desperately need. At Grade 3.5, it's accessible enough for mid-level bands yet sophisticated enough to hold up musically.
What to expect
Good-natured and playful, with blues undertones that give it unexpected depth beneath the holiday surface. The familiar melody swings in a new way, making seasoned musicians smile while newcomers discover why Santa jokes never get old when they're wrapped in solid arranging.
Who it's for
Concert bands in the Grade 3 to 4 range looking for a holiday piece that entertains without sacrificing musicality. Directors programming a December concert who want a centerpiece that feels fresh and generates genuine audience response.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring out the solo voices clearly in the arrangement; they're your bridge to audience engagement, so balance the ensemble dynamically to let each featured player shine.
- Prepare your audience for the sing-along section by printing lyrics in the program or projecting them; the humor lands when everyone understands what's coming.
- Shape the blues elements with appropriate rubato and emphasis. This isn't a march; let the syncopation breathe naturally within a relaxed pulse.
- Use this arrangement's accessibility as permission to invest in character and style rather than rushing through it. The Grade 3.5 level gives you rehearsal bandwidth to focus on phrasing and personality.
How to use it
Position this as the closing piece before intermission or as the finale to your holiday program, where its combination of humor and accessibility can anchor the second half of your concert. It works particularly well when you have a featured soloist or two on your roster who deserve showcase moments.
Skills your students will build
- Playing with flexible rhythmic phrasing in a blues idiom
- Supporting featured soloists through ensemble balance and sensitivity
- Interpreting syncopated rhythms with appropriate style and groove
- Responding to conductor cues in a sectional arrangement with distinct musical roles