Christmas Is Here!: Concert Band Conductor Score

$12.00 USD

Christmas Is Here!: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Christmas Is Here!: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-49979S
Price: 12.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Featuring: Joy to the World / O Come, O Come, Emmanuel / Ukrainian Bell Carol / We Three Kings

Traditional / arr. Chris M. Bernotas

Grade: 3.5

Item: 00-49979S

$12.00

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Christmas is Here!, arranged by Chris M. Bernotas, highlights fresh treatments of some of the most celebrated Christmas favorites and will help ring in the season with good tidings for all! This stunning medley features "Joy to the World," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and "We Three Kings." There are three contrasting sections, starting with excitement, then a bit of mystery, and finally, a rhythmic 5/4 treatment of the "Ukrainian Bell Carol." Sure to be a perennial favorite! (4:15)

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Series: Alfred Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-5937-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-5937-0

UPC: 038081576633

SKU: 00-49979S

More about this title

About the Composer: Chris M. Bernotas

Chris M. Bernotas brings over 25 years of music education experience to his work as a composer and conductor. As Director of Instrumental Publications at Alfred Music, he develops band and orchestra resources used by programs worldwide, grounding his compositions in the real challenges and triumphs of the rehearsal room.

Bernotas's ability to write music that engages developing musicians while maintaining genuine artistry has made his works performance standards across educational ensembles. Beyond composing, he serves frequently as a guest conductor and clinician, and has co-authored several influential pedagogical resources including the Sound Innovations series. His dual commitment to craft and education ensures that every piece he writes serves both musical and developmental purposes.

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Why we love this

This arrangement proves that holiday medleys don't have to feel generic or oversimplified. Bernotas structures three distinct musical landscapes around beloved carols, and the 5/4 treatment of the Ukrainian Bell Carol gives your band something genuinely interesting to sink their teeth into rather than just playing through familiar tunes. It's the kind of piece that keeps audiences engaged while remaining solidly within Grade 3.5 reach.

What to expect

The piece opens with bright, celebratory energy before settling into something more reflective and textural. The shift to 5/4 against a familiar carol melody creates an appealing tension, making the audience hear something traditional in a fresh way. By the close, the rhythmic vitality feels earned and joyful rather than rushed.

Who it's for

Directors programming winter concerts who want repertoire that combines seasonal appeal with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for bands building confidence with more complex meter and arrangement technique, or for ensembles ready to perform something polished and audience-friendly.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the contrasts between sections deliberately. The opening excitement, middle mystery, and final rhythmic energy each demand a different ensemble sound and articulation approach.
Lock the 5/4 passage by subdividing eighth notes in your rehearsal and conducting clear beat patterns until the meter feels natural rather than tentative.
Balance the carol melodies so they sing above the harmonic support without dominating the overall blend, particularly when multiple parts carry related melodic ideas.

How to use it

Program this as a bridge between your more substantive concert selections and lighter encores, or open a holiday concert with it to establish festive energy while showcasing your band's rhythmic sophistication. The four-minute duration fits comfortably into almost any concert structure without dominating the program.