Candy-Covered Gingerbread House: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher, music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0005710
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
So sweet it might just give you a toothache! This scrumptiously jazzy holiday novelty number is fantastically fun. Optional harmonies make it easy to tailor the piece to the ability level of your group, and it's a tasty tune for adding some choreography. Staging is available on our Movin' DVD. Not to be missed!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005710
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck oversees Choral Publications at Alfred Music and has established himself as one of the most performed composers in contemporary choral education, with more than 450 works in print spanning choral arrangements, vocal resources, and musical theatre for young performers. His pedagogical impact extends beyond composition into sight-singing curricula and vocal technique instruction, with resources like Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique now standard in many music classrooms.
Beyond the page, Beck remains deeply embedded in the choral community as a guest conductor, choreographer, and clinician. He holds commissions from honor choirs across the country and performs regularly as a tenor soloist and chamber singer. His training at Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University grounds his work in both music education pedagogy and performance practice, a combination that shows in every piece he writes for singers.
Why we love this
This piece does what novelty numbers rarely do: it actually swings. The optional harmonies let you teach two-part voicing without sacrificing the fun, and the choreography hook keeps singers engaged through the entire rehearsal process. Beck's jazz sensibility and rhythmic precision make this feel current rather than cutesy, which middle and high school singers will respect.
What to expect
Bright, syncopated, and playfully indulgent. The jazzy harmony and rhythmic drive give it sophistication while the gingerbread-house text keeps everything light and theatrical. It's the musical equivalent of eating something delicious guilt-free, with energy that spreads through your choir and into the audience.
Who it's for
Middle and high school choirs looking for a contemporary holiday number with genuine musical substance. Directors seeking a piece that balances fun and musicianship will find the two-part voicing and optional harmonies give them flexibility across ability levels. This works equally well for concert choirs in need of an audience favorite and for younger ensembles building confidence with jazz-influenced repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the rhythmic precision in the jazz-inflected sections first before layering choreography; Beck's syncopations need clarity to land the humor.
- Use the recorded accompaniment as your rehearsal anchor so singers lock into the groove rather than fighting the tempo.
- Treat the optional harmonies as a staging tool as much as a vocal one; higher voices can handle the harmonies while lower voices hold the melody, or split them dynamically across the stage.
- Lean into the character and attitude; this piece thrives on energy and playfulness, so encourage singers to commit fully to the choreography and text painting.
How to use it
Position this as your holiday concert showstopper, especially if your program leans toward traditional or serious repertoire. The choreography and novelty appeal create a natural moment for audience connection without undermining your group's credibility. It also pairs well with Andy Beck's other choral pieces, giving you stylistic consistency across a set.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz rhythms and syncopation
- Two-part harmony and optional voice independence
- Connecting choreography to vocal technique and phrasing
- Rhythmic precision in contemporary harmonic language
- Performance attitude and character interpretation