Christmas A-Comin': 2-Part Choral Octavo

Strommen writes choral music that feels effortless to learn yet projects with genuine warmth and fullness. The parallel writing creates rich sonority without demanding complex voice leading, making it ideal for intermediate or developing choirs who want to sound polished quickly. Its English carol roots give it timeless appeal that transcends any single season's trends.

Bright, propulsive, and warmly celebratory. The parallel motion creates an almost hymn-like solidity while the fast pace infuses the traditional carol style with contemporary energy. It feels like a carol that has been given wings.

Music directors building a Christmas program for developing or intermediate choirs will find this piece both accessible and musically substantial. It works equally well for school choirs, community ensembles, or church music programs seeking repertoire that balances ease of preparation with performance impact.

• Emphasize the parallel motion as a feature, not a limitation. Keep both parts singing with equal weight and conviction so the texture sounds intentional and full rather than thin.
• Set a brisk, energetic tempo to capture the 'fast paced' character and maintain forward momentum through the piece. A dragging pace undermines the carol's natural energy.
• Balance treble and lower voices carefully; these parts need clarity against each other despite the parallel writing. Slight dynamic shaping between them can enhance definition without disrupting unity.
• Use minimal vibrato, particularly if your choir tends toward a more contemporary sound. The carol style benefits from a cleaner, more direct tone quality.

Position this as your opening number for a Christmas concert to establish an upbeat, inviting tone before moving into slower or more complex pieces. Its accessibility also makes it excellent for pop-up performances, community events, or sing-alongs where you want polished results from limited rehearsal time.

• Singing in parallel motion with tonal blend and balance
• Maintaining steady tempo in a driving, energetic style
• Reading and performing 2-part choral textures with clear voice independence
• Shaping phrase contours while honoring the carol tradition