Bring a Little Jingle: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Lawrence knows how to write holiday music that feels genuinely fun to sing rather than saccharine or stale. The playful onomatopoeia (ho-ho's, ding-dong's, jing-a-ling's) gives singers actual character moments to perform, and the piece sits well for 2-part ensembles without requiring advanced vocal technique. It's a smart concert opener that puts audiences in a festive mood before the rest of your program.

Bright, infectious, and unapologetically jolly. The piece radiates a toy-box energy, with cheerful bell sounds and playful syllables creating an atmosphere that's festive without being overly sentimental. You can almost hear children laughing while sleigh bells ring.

Directors looking for a spirited, low-pressure opener that works for intermediate and beginning choirs. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible to younger singers, mixed-ability ensembles, or community groups; it requires basic ensemble skills without demanding advanced harmonic independence.

• Treat the nonsense syllables as rhythmic characters. Have singers articulate the 'ho-ho's' and 'ding-dong's' with crisp consonants so the playfulness cuts through the arrangement, especially if using the recorded accompaniment.
• Balance the parts clearly in rehearsal. Use the accompaniment to check that both parts are equally visible in the mix; adjust dynamics if needed so neither voice gets buried under the woodwinds and brass.
• Lock in the rhythmic groove early. The piece's charm depends on a confident, steady pulse. Isolate any tricky rhythmic spots (particularly where the syllables fall) before adding the full arrangement.
• Shape the melodic phrases even within the celebratory context. Small dynamic swells on longer notes and subtle releases at phrase ends keep the piece from sounding one-dimensional despite its straightforward character.

Open a holiday concert with this piece to immediately establish a warm, celebratory mood and settle the audience into a fun frame of mind. It pairs well alongside more traditional carols or other seasonal fare, giving your program textural variety and showing different sides of holiday singing.

• Clear articulation of rhythmic text and nonsense syllables
• Singing as a 2-part ensemble with independent lines
• Maintaining a steady tempo and rhythmic groove with accompaniment
• Expressive phrasing and dynamic control within a light, playful style