Christmas Is Here!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Bernotas avoids the trap of medley writing that feels stitched together; each section here—opening excitement, mysterious development, and the rhythmic 5/4 bell carol—flows with genuine compositional intent. The familiarity of these carols works in your favor, freeing the band to focus on ensemble balance and phrasing while the arrangement itself carries the programming weight of a concert favorite.

The piece opens with unguarded joy before pulling inward into something more reflective and mysterious. When the bell carol finally arrives in 5/4, that rhythmic twist creates a moment of genuine discovery, letting the familiar melody land freshly in your audience's ears. The overall arc feels complete, not episodic.

Directors seeking a concert band holiday selection that moves beyond standard arrangements will find real substance here. This works equally well for Grade 3.5 bands looking to program something contemporary that doesn't talk down to the audience, or as a closer that sends audiences out genuinely moved rather than merely entertained.

• Isolate the transition into the 5/4 bell carol section; the meter shift will feel foreign at first, so establish it clearly with the rhythm section before bringing in melodic voices.
• Let the mystery section breathe. Resist the urge to push tempo; the emotional contrast depends on genuine restraint in articulation and dynamics.
• Balance the three melodies in the opening section by rotating which section carries the primary line. This prevents any one voice from dominating and keeps the texture fresh across the ensemble.
• The 4:15 timing is achievable at a walking tempo through the carol sections; rushing here often muddies the rhythmic clarity you've worked to establish in that 5/4 passage.

Program this as a closer on a holiday or winter concert, where the three contrasting sections and the 4:15 length give you enough substance to anchor the second half without overshadowing other repertoire. It also works as a concert opener if you want to establish immediate energy and goodwill before moving into your deeper programming.

• Balancing multiple melodic lines within a single section
• Reading and executing 5/4 meter with confidence
• Maintaining rhythmic precision during meter transitions
• Shaping phrase arcs across contrasting harmonic textures
• Ensemble blend and dynamic control across three distinct sections