Christmas: Its Carols, Customs and Legends: Choral Book

These carols carry the warmth of tradition and the texture of lived cultural practice. Each piece holds melody and meaning rooted in its origin, creating a sense of genuine celebration rather than commercial decoration.

This collection serves choirs at all levels seeking Christmas repertoire with substance. Whether you direct a high school ensemble, a community choir, or a collegiate group, you'll find carols that match your singers' abilities while expanding their musical horizons beyond the standard December catalog.

• Assign singers to research the origin and customs of their carol before rehearsal begins. This context deepens musicality and creates natural ownership of the material.
• Use the historical descriptions as program notes or spoken introductions between carols. Your audience will hear each piece with richer appreciation.
• Select a diverse range of carols for a single concert rather than singing all 70 in one sitting. Let the variety of languages, regional styles, and cultural traditions guide your programming choices.

Build a Christmas concert around geographical or thematic arcs. You might construct a first half touring carols from Northern Europe, a second half sampling from other continents, or weave pieces together by custom or legend. The breadth of material lets you create programming that feels cohesive and intentional rather than assembled from miscellaneous holiday charts.

• Reading carols in varied rhythmic and melodic styles across multiple cultures
• Singing in languages including English, Scots, German, and Norwegian
• Understanding historical and cultural contexts that shape choral repertoire
• Interpreting musical character based on regional tradition and holiday custom