Christmas in the Round (A Holiday Prism for String Orchestra): 1st & 2nd Violas
Traditional / arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PC-0002275_VA12
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Description
Subtitled A Holiday Prism for String Orchestra, this work can be presented in a theater-in-the-round format or on the more traditional concert stage. Following a broad introduction, each family of the orchestra presents an independent carol. Carols in the medley include "Deck the Halls," "The Ukrainian Bell Carol," "Jingle Bells," "What Child Is This?," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Prepare the sections that require the entire string ensemble then let the sections prepare their own carol independently. Include them all or not. Generous cross cueing guarantees a successful performance. Traditional, contemporary, humorous, and stately, each section brings a unique facet to this holiday prism. (5:56)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Christmas in the Round (A Holiday Prism for String Orchestra): 1st & 2nd Violas comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
164
SKU:
00-PC-0002275_VA12
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith has established himself as a major voice in American orchestral and concert band composition, with over 400 published works performed internationally. His formal training includes a Bachelor's of Music Education from Troy State University and a Master's of Music from the University of Miami. Smith's original compositions have reached audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, with his symphonies The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey becoming touchstones for the repertoire.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's work has appeared in Olympic broadcasts, television specials, and ceremonial performances of national significance. His gift for writing accessible yet substantial music for developing ensembles has made him a trusted voice in education, while his work as a conductor and clinician has taken him across continents. Few contemporary composers command the breadth of respect Smith enjoys among music educators and performers.
Why we love this
Smith's arrangement transforms the familiar holiday carol medley into something genuinely theatrical. The sectional independence he builds in allows each string family to own their moment, creating a performance that feels like a conversation rather than a procession through carols. The flexibility to use all selections or just a few means you can tailor the work to your ensemble's strengths and your program's timing without sacrificing coherence.
What to expect
Warm and clever, with moments of genuine tenderness. Smith's orchestration honors the hymnic roots of these carols while letting contemporary warmth and even humor emerge. The "prism" concept creates something that feels both structured and playful, like watching the same light refract through different colored glass.
Who it's for
Directors with intermediate string orchestras who want to program something genuinely festive without abandoning musical substance. This arrangement works for groups at the 3.5 grade level that have developed enough independence and intonation security to handle sectional independence.
How to get the most out of it
- Work the full-orchestra sections as a complete unit first, locking in the harmonic foundation before fractionalizing the string parts. This gives players the structural security they need for their independent carol passages.
- Encourage each section to find its own character within their carol. The cello section's take on "The Ukrainian Bell Carol" will naturally differ from the violins', and that variety is the whole point of the "prism" concept.
- Take advantage of the cross cueing generously. It's there to catch you when sections are independent, so mark your parts clearly and run through those transitions in rehearsal without stopping.
- If performing in the round, seat the orchestra with sections separated by physical space rather than the traditional configuration. The spatial separation amplifies the sectional dialogue Smith has composed.
How to use it
Program this as your centerpiece holiday concert offering, or use it to close a mixed program with a work that invites audience engagement and genuine joy. At under six minutes, it pairs well with lighter contemporary works or can anchor a concert of folk-based orchestral literature. The modular nature of the carol selections also makes it useful for pops concerts or community performances where program flexibility matters.
Skills your students will build
- Sectional independence and active listening across the ensemble
- Secure intonation in sustained harmonic passages
- Character differentiation within familiar melodic material
- Coordinating entries and transitions with physical separation on stage
- Balance between supporting harmony and melodic prominence