Emily Crocker spent 15 years teaching music in Texas public schools across all grade levels before shifting to curriculum development. She joined Hal Leonard in 1989 and eventually became Vice President of Choral Publications, a role she held until retiring in 2017 after nearly three decades with the company.
Beyond her work in publishing, Crocker founded and directed the Milwaukee Children's Choir from 1994 to 2009, establishing it as a significant arts institution in the region. She also created the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee, which she led from 2009 to 2015. As a composer and arranger, her works have received performances globally, and she is particularly recognized for her contributions to choral pedagogy and accessible choral materials. She now resides in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continues composing and supporting the arts community.
Why we love this
Crocker has distilled three beloved carols into a single medley that moves with intelligence and purpose, never sacrificing the singability that makes these songs resonate with audiences. The arrangement respects each carol's identity while creating compelling harmonic and textural transitions that keep singers engaged throughout the nine pages. You get seasonal programming flexibility without the overhead of learning three separate pieces.
What to expect
Three beloved carols unfold in succession, each one arriving with its own character yet woven together through Crocker's attentive voice leading and harmonic choices. The medley creates a sense of continuity and discovery, as listeners recognize each carol while experiencing it anew through fresh arrangements and transitions.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits choirs preparing a holiday concert who want the familiarity of recognizable carols without the constraint of programming multiple shorter pieces. It works equally well for festivals seeking a polished holiday offering or for groups building repertoire that engages audiences while remaining technically accessible.
How to get the most out of it
Balance your soprano and alto lines carefully in passages where they diverge; these voices often carry the primary melodic interest, and clarity between them prevents muddiness.
Prepare your rhythm section (or recorded accompaniment) to lock into the transitions between carols, as these moments define whether the medley feels seamless or segmented.
Layer in dynamics early in rehearsal rather than saving them for final run-throughs. The arrangement likely uses texture and volume to delineate the three distinct carol identities, and singers need time to internalize these shifts.
Consider how your space's acoustics affect the piece's opening and closing moments. Medleys benefit from a clear sense of arrival and departure, so test sight lines and sound projection in your actual performance venue.
How to use it
Position this as your program's secular holiday number if you're also performing sacred carols or winter choral works. Its nine pages and SATB voicing make it substantial enough to stand alone as a centerpiece of a holiday concert without requiring additional rehearsal time for multiple arrangements.
Skills your students will build
Following harmonic transitions between distinct melodic sections
Maintaining textural independence within four-part writing
Executing dynamic and expressive shifts that define medley structure
Blending familiar melodies with unfamiliar harmonic contexts
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