Christmas Is My Favorite Time Of Year (from Catch Me If You Can): Piano Vocal

Shaiman's melody here radiates sincerity without sentimentality. The piano part sits comfortably under the voice while maintaining musical interest, making it accessible for students who are still building their concurrent reading skills but substantive enough to reward careful interpretation.

Warm and nostalgic, with an earnest quality that avoids treacly clichés. The music reflects real affection for the season rather than manufactured holiday cheer, settling into a comfortable, lived-in character.

This works beautifully for intermediate to advanced vocalists who need accessible seasonal repertoire with genuine musical substance. Teachers seeking holiday programming beyond the obvious carols will find a contemporary piece that still feels genuinely festive.

• Treat the opening phrase as a direct statement. Resist the urge to oversell the sentiment; let the simplicity of the melody do the work.
• Pay attention to the piano's accompaniment pattern. It establishes the song's rhythmic heartbeat, so lock in with it early rather than layering on top of it.
• Find the moments where the melody peaks and allow those notes room to breathe. Shaiman typically designs his phrases with clear architectural points.

Pair this with other contemporary theatrical songs to create a holiday concert that speaks to modern singers and audiences. It also serves well as a solo vehicle within a larger winter concert where you want to shift mood from traditional carols into more personal, character-driven material.

• Sustaining legit vocal tone across phrase lengths
• Coordinating melodic line with piano accompaniment patterns
• Interpreting contemporary musical theater style with emotional authenticity
• Sight-reading within a theatrical context