Christmas In L.A. (arr. Mark Brymer): SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the groove and modern sensibility of Vulfpeck's original while making it singable and achievable for secondary choirs. The funk foundation gives singers something genuinely fun to sink their teeth into rather than another overwrought holiday standard, and the four-part writing is clean enough that the pocket remains front and center.

Urban, contemporary, and absolutely grounded in a locked-in groove. The arrangement has the warmth of holiday flavor without sacrificing the cool, pocket-forward vibe that makes modern funk so satisfying to perform and hear.

Any choir ready to move beyond traditional holiday repertoire, especially ensembles that can handle syncopation and contemporary groove sensibilities. Secular choirs and those performing in non-traditional settings will find this both fresh and genuinely fun.

• Lock the rhythm section (basses and tenors especially) into a unified groove from the first rehearsal; once the foundation is solid, the upper voices settle naturally into pocket.
• Resist over-singing the sustained parts. Vulfpeck's aesthetic thrives on restraint, so encourages singers to use efficient breath support and let the funkiness live in the rhythmic precision rather than volume.
• Work the syncopations separately before combining them with the main groove. The offbeat figures will feel awkward in isolation, but they snap into place once singers feel the underlying pulse clearly.

Pair this with one traditional holiday selection to show the range of your choir's stylistic command, or build an entire set around contemporary holiday interpretations. It works especially well as a closer or finale, leaving your audience with energy and modern spirit rather than quiet reverence.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in a funk context
• Maintaining groove while singing sustained harmonies
• Blend and balance across four parts with emphasis on rhythmic precision over vibrato
• Interpreting contemporary arranging language and understanding space in arrangement