Christmas Around the World: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Traditional / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0002167
$57.00
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Description
A celebration of Christmas carols from around the world. Michael Story has woven together a traditional English carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," from France, "Angels We Have Heard on High," from Spain, "Fum, Fum, Fum," the Chinese carol "Midnight, Sleeping Bethlehem" and the traditional American carol "Go Tell It on the Mountain." This joyous collection of carols will certainly fulfill your holiday concert needs and reinforce multicultural musical history instruction. A super choice. (5:09)
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
358
SKU:
00-PK-0002167
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mike Story
Mike Story has built a distinguished career arranging accessible concert band music for young ensembles. His work with the Belwin Young Band series demonstrates a gift for scaling sophisticated orchestral ideas down to Grade 2 level without sacrificing musical integrity or interest.
Why we love this
Story balances five distinct carols into a cohesive medley that never feels rushed or cluttered. The Grade 2 scoring gives every section meaningful material, so your entire band stays engaged throughout, and the multicultural focus opens natural conversations about musical traditions beyond the typical holiday canon.
What to expect
A joyful passport through four continents, each carol carrying its own regional character while fitting seamlessly into a single arc. The arrangement radiates warmth and accessibility, inviting audiences into music-making that feels both genuine and celebratory.
Who it's for
Any concert band director programming a winter concert who wants repertoire that educates while entertaining. Grade 2 bands will find this playable without exhausting rehearsal time on technical challenges, leaving room to focus on musical storytelling and cultural awareness.
How to get the most out of it
- Differentiate the carol moods through articulation and phrasing: keep 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' crisp and rhythmic, then soften the approach when 'Angels We Have Heard on High' enters to show contrast.
- Balance the texture when multiple carols overlap; slight dynamic shaping in the accompaniment parts prevents the melody from disappearing under ensemble sound.
- Use the conductor score's cues to guide smooth transitions between carols. Story's voice leading is deliberate here, so clean attacks and releases matter more than raw volume.
How to use it
Schedule this as a centerpiece for your holiday concert, or pair it with a briefer carol arrangement to create a two-piece holiday suite. The 5:09 length sits comfortably in a mixed program and works equally well as a finale or a mid-concert offering.
Skills your students will build
- Recognizing and performing melodic motifs from different cultural traditions
- Balancing independent melodic lines within a blended ensemble texture
- Transitioning smoothly between different musical styles and tempos
- Reading and executing dynamic and articulation markings that shape phrasing