Christmas Time Is Here: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Lee Mendelson / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00381503
$45.00
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Description
Although written for the Charlie Brown TV Christmas special in 1965, "Christmas Time Is Here" has gone on to become a popular modern day holiday standard. Here's a beautiful setting by Mark Taylor that features creative scoring and harmonies, giving it a more sophisticated sound than its easy level would indicate.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00381503
More about this title
About the Artist: Lee Mendelson
Lee Mendelson produced and created the beloved Charlie Brown television specials that have defined holiday viewing for generations. His work on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) introduced audiences to Vince Guaraldi's iconic jazz score, establishing a sound that remains inseparable from the season itself.
Mendelson's collaborative approach to music and storytelling shaped how Americans experience holiday entertainment. His vision brought together animation, narrative warmth, and sophisticated jazz composition in ways that still resonate with educators seeking material that feels both accessible and artistically substantial.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor's arrangement captures the wistful charm of the original while giving young ensembles something genuinely rewarding to perform. The Grade 2 scoring doesn't sacrifice harmonic interest or voice leading; instead, it proves that sophistication isn't about complexity. Directors get a piece that sounds polished in concert without requiring virtuosic technical demands.
What to expect
Nostalgic yet contemporary. The tune itself carries decades of cultural weight, but Taylor's voicings and orchestration give it a modern sensibility that feels fresh rather than merely sentimental. There's a quiet confidence in the piece, an assurance that simplicity handled skillfully can move an audience.
Who it's for
Holiday concerts that need a jazz ensemble standard with real substance. This works equally well for groups new to jazz charts and ensembles looking to round out a winter program with something that bridges accessibility and musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with dynamic restraint. The tune's strength lies in its simplicity, so resist the urge to oversell it. Let the ensemble's blend and intonation carry the emotional weight.
- Balance the jazz harmonies carefully so supporting voices don't overshadow the primary line. This arrangement's refinement depends on clarity of texture.
- Establish a relaxed swing feel from the beginning. Even at a modest tempo, the rhythmic pocket needs to feel natural and unhurried.
- Draw out the changes that Taylor introduces. His reharmonizations deserve subtle emphasis without pushing into excessive expression.
How to use it
Pair this with punchier holiday arrangements to create tonal variety in your concert. Its introspective quality makes it an ideal anchor for a quieter section or a closer that leaves audiences reflective rather than hyperactive. It's also an excellent teaching vehicle mid-season when students are ready to explore jazz idiom without overwhelming demands.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing jazz melodies with sensitivity and restraint
- Reading and balancing jazz voicings and harmonic textures
- Developing ensemble blend across sustained harmonic passages
- Interpreting swing rhythm as a feeling rather than a mechanical concept