Can't Wait for Christmas Cover Image

Can't Wait for Christmas: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$26.99 USD
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Can't Wait for Christmas Cover Image

Can't Wait for Christmas: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Words and music by Douglas E. Wagner

Item: 00-A-00015104

$26.99
Digital Download
Description

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00015104

More about this title

About the Composer: Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner earned his degrees in music from Butler University and spent three decades as a high school music educator and administrator in the Midwest before transitioning to full-time composition. Since 1973, he has published more than 3,500 works across choral, band, orchestral, handbell, organ, piano, and vocal literature, with his music performed in concert halls, on broadcasts, and at festivals worldwide.

Wagner's prolific catalog reflects his deep understanding of what works in rehearsal and performance. Over seventeen million copies of his compositions have been purchased by schools, churches, and performing groups, making him one of the most frequently performed contemporary composers in American music education.

Why we love this

Wagner has a gift for writing choral novelties that land with immediate appeal without sacrificing musicality. The recorded accompaniment takes the prep work out of your hands, so you can focus entirely on bringing out the character and energy your singers need to make this piece shine.

What to expect

Bright, playful, and full of anticipation. This piece captures the infectious energy of countdown moments, with straightforward melodies and approachable harmonies that let singers focus on delivering the fun without wrestling with complex voice leading. The overall effect is joyful and modern while staying firmly planted in traditional choral territory.

Who it's for

Choral directors seeking accessible, engaging holiday repertoire that appeals to student singers and audiences alike. This works well for school choirs (middle through high school), community choirs, and church programs looking for contemporary Christmas material with commercial appeal and solid musical writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Use the recorded accompaniment strategically during early rehearsals to lock in the harmonic foundation, then gradually pull it back as your choir gains confidence with their parts.
  • Shape the phrasing around the lyrical contours rather than the bar lines; this holiday number will feel fresher and more conversational when singers breathe naturally with the text.
  • Balance the lightness of the novelty concept against clear diction so the humorous intent comes across without the words disappearing.
  • Consider how the piece sits in your overall concert flow; its upbeat energy makes it an excellent vehicle for energy shifts or as a closer that leaves the audience smiling.

How to use it

Program this as a high-energy addition to a holiday concert, particularly effective as a set opener or closer where its lighthearted tone can lift the room. It pairs well with more reverent seasonal pieces, offering programmers a chance to include both meaningful and purely entertaining Christmas music in the same concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Rhythmic clarity and text-driven phrasing in contemporary choral writing
  • Blend and balance in straightforward SATB harmony
  • Sustained energy and precision in lighter, novelty-style material
  • Diction precision when delivering humorous or conversational text

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