Canon of the Bells: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Arr. Carole Stephens
Item: 00-PO-0006801
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Pachelbel's famous Canon in D is the backdrop for this medley of well-known Christmas carols. Carole Stephens weaves the songs together in a tasteful, singable concert work. It includes 'Ding Dong Merrily on High,' 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,' and 'Ukranian Bell Carol.' Sure to be a welcome addition to any holiday concert!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006801
More about this title
About the Arranger: Carole Stephens
Carole Stephens has built a career creating arrangements that honor familiar melodies while respecting the capabilities and limitations of developing ensembles. Her work in choral arranging demonstrates a keen understanding of how to layer recognizable material into coherent musical statements without oversaturating the harmonic language.
Stephens' approach to arrangement prioritizes singability and musical communication. She knows what works in rehearsal and what lands in performance, a sensibility that comes through consistently in her catalog of educational choral music.
Why we love this
Stephens solves a real programming challenge: how to give your singers a musically substantial holiday piece without overextending a smaller or less experienced choir. The arrangement respects both the harmonic sophistication of Pachelbel's foundation and the accessibility your singers need, making it feel like a genuine concert work rather than a simplified novelty.
What to expect
The piece opens with the grounding certainty of Pachelbel's progression, then gradually reveals beloved Christmas carols emerging like bell tones against that foundation. There's a quality of elegance paired with warmth; it feels both refined and genuinely festive, never precious or overcomplicated.
Who it's for
Choirs with limited rehearsal time or smaller voice sections will appreciate the 2-part voicing, which requires minimal doubling and sits comfortably for mixed or treble choirs. Holiday concerts looking for a piece that sounds substantial without being technically demanding will find this a strong fit. Singers enjoy arrangements that let them recognize familiar melodies while contributing to something harmonically richer.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the familiar carol melodies so they sing through clearly while the Pachelbel ground maintains its steady harmonic presence. The carols are the stars; the canon provides the elegant frame.
- Shape each carol transition carefully. Since three distinct melodies weave together, clear phrasing at each seam helps the choir and your audience track the medley structure.
- If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it early and often. Having the harmonic foundation in rehearsal from the start helps singers lock into the piece's architecture.
How to use it
Position this as the centerpiece of a holiday concert's middle section, where it can bridge between contemporary Christmas songs and traditional sacred repertoire. Its 12 pages and 2-part structure make it an excellent choice for a December concert where rehearsal time is compressed and multiple grade levels or ability levels might perform together.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in parts while maintaining awareness of a separate harmonic foundation
- Phrasing longer lines while tracking melodic transitions in a medley
- Balancing melody and accompaniment in ensemble singing
- Recognizing and interpreting the harmonic language of Baroque music
- Sight-reading within a manageable 2-part texture