Christmas Instrumental Solos: Popular Christmas Songs for Strings: Viola (with Piano Acc.) Book & CD

These holiday standards arrive polished and warm, arranged in ways that respect the viola's darker, more expressive tone without burying the melody. Each piece captures the spirit of the season while remaining grounded in straightforward rhythms and comfortable ranges.

Viola students in grades 4-6 or upper-level beginners who are ready for solo repertoire with real accompaniment support. Ensembles mixing violas, violin, or other treble instruments will benefit from the interchangeable arrangements that allow flexible grouping.

• Start with the demonstration tracks to hear how each arrangement is voiced and to identify the melodic or supporting role your viola part plays in each piece.
• Experiment with the play-along tracks at reduced tempo if your school's audio equipment allows it; this gives you time to lock in rhythmic precision with the piano accompaniment before performing at full speed.
• Pay close attention to dynamics in the score, since the recorded accompaniment will establish the energy level of each arrangement and your part must blend or cut through accordingly.

Reserve these for a winter concert or holiday assembly where soloists or small ensembles perform seasonal favorites. The variety of tempos and moods works well across the program; pair faster pieces like Jingle Bell Rock with slower reflective selections like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

• Solo performance with recorded accompaniment
• Listening to and responding to piano accompaniment cues
• Phrasing and expression in familiar melody contexts
• Intonation stability in ensemble settings (when combining parts with other instruments)
• Reading Level 2-3 viola notation and articulation markings