Christmas Chorale and March: Concert Band Conductor Score

Kinyon writes Grade 1 arrangements that actually sound musical rather than skeletal. This piece gives conductors a genuine concert item that builds confidence in beginning players without sacrificing the holiday spirit your December program needs.

The chorale opens with familiar warmth and dignity, offering students their first real taste of sustained musical expression. The march that follows shifts into straightforward energy and forward momentum, creating a satisfying contrast that keeps the piece engaging across its eight pages.

Beginning concert bands, middle school programs just starting their winter repertoire, or any director seeking a legitimate two-part piece that beginners can execute convincingly. This works equally well for groups building confidence and for experienced ensembles looking for a short, reliable seasonal opener.

• Balance the chorale's melody between first parts; this isn't a unison feature, so shape it as ensemble singing rather than individual lines.
• Keep the march section's tempo steady and quarter-note pulse clear; young conductors often rush the transition between the two sections.
• Let the score's simplicity work for you in rehearsal. Use that saved time to focus on phrase shape and dynamic contrast within the chorale.

Open a December concert with this pairing to set a graceful tone before moving into fuller seasonal arrangements. Its brevity also makes it an ideal gesture in multi-ensemble concerts where you need a polished first statement from your developing band.

• Legato phrasing in chorale textures
• Dynamic shaping across sustained passages
• Rhythmic precision in march sections
• Sectional balance and blend
• Transitioning between contrasting tempos and characters