Christmas Overture (arr. Robert Longfield): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Samuel Coleridge-Taylor / Arranged by Robert Longfield
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK01126010
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Description
The composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor achieved such success in his life that he was called "the African Mahler" by his contemporaries. This arrangement for string orchestra by Robert Longfield uses music from the opening and coda of Coleridge-Taylor's 1925 Christmas Overture (based on "Good King Wenceslas" and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing") to provide an appropriately festive piece for any holiday concert!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01126010
More about this title
About the Composer: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912) was an English composer whose gift for melody and orchestral color earned him international recognition during his lifetime. Though he died at just 37, he left behind a substantial catalog of choral works, orchestral pieces, and chamber music that established him as one of the most performed British composers of his era. His facility with thematic development and his ability to craft accessible yet sophisticated music made him a favorite with conductors and audiences alike.
Why we love this
Robert Longfield's arrangement captures the festive character of Coleridge-Taylor's original while trimming the work to a manageable length that fits naturally into a holiday concert program. String orchestras at this level rarely find Christmas repertoire that balances musical substance with genuine holiday spirit, making this a refreshing alternative to the usual arrangements.
What to expect
The opening unfolds with warm, stately grandeur before the familiar carols emerge with clarity and dignity. There is genuine celebration here, neither sentimental nor overly clever, just the feeling of gathering to sing well-known melodies together.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level will find this piece approachable while still offering room for musical growth. Holiday concerts benefit from selections that honor tradition without demanding extended rehearsal time, and this arrangement fits that need perfectly.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the violin lines against the lower strings in the opening section; the melodic content sits high, but the harmonic foundation needs definition to support the festive energy.
- Shape the phrasing around the familiar hymn tunes rather than conducting metrically; these melodies have their own breathing patterns that will guide your strings naturally.
- Bring the coda forward with clear articulation and gradually building intensity; the contrast between the opening and closing will feel more satisfying if you resist rushing the tempo.
How to use it
Place this after an opening number to settle the audience into the concert, or use it to bridge between different sections of your program with confidence. The arrangement's moderate length makes it an ideal companion to shorter works or vocal selections in a balanced holiday set.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long tones with consistent tone quality across the ensemble
- Responding to conductor-led phrase shaping and dynamic control
- Tracking multiple harmonic lines and balancing upper and lower voices
- Interpreting familiar melodies in a new orchestral context