Christmas Time Is Here (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Vince Guaraldi / By Lee Mendelson / Arranged by Mike Tomaro
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00493869
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Here is unique and creative take on Charlie Brown's favorite holiday tune. Featuring a relaxed swing style in 4/4 (rather than the usual 3/4), along with a rich harmonic palette and masterful little big band scoring, this is a terrific addition to any holiday event. A short solo spot is provided for any player. (Grade 4)
Christmas Time Is Here (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00493869
More about this title
About the Composer: Vince Guaraldi
Vince Guaraldi composed the score for the beloved Peanuts television specials, creating some of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant music in American pop culture. His harmonic language blends jazz sophistication with accessible melody, a skill that made him invaluable to animator Bill Melendez and producer Lee Mendelson as they brought Charles Schulz's characters to life on screen.
Why we love this
Tomaro's reimagining strips away the nostalgia and gives your ensemble a chance to swing this tune with contemporary energy. The harmonic richness and little big band voicings honor Guaraldi's original sensibility while creating a completely fresh performance context. It's the kind of arrangement that reminds students why this melody endures.
What to expect
Warm and reflective, with a relaxed swagger that lets the harmonic movement breathe. The swing feel and rich voicings create intimacy without sentimentality, as if the ensemble is playing quietly in the room with you rather than performing for an audience.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the high school or early college level looking for holiday material that challenges harmonic awareness without excessive technical demands. Directors who want to program something recognizable but sophisticated, where students experience authentic jazz arranging rather than simplified versions of familiar tunes.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the relaxed swing feel in rehearsal before worrying about precision; the groove supports everything else.
- Balance the harmonic texture by bringing out inner voices in the mid-register rather than letting high brass dominate.
- Give the featured soloist room to breathe and interpret; the solo spot works best when it feels conversational rather than rushed.
- Keep the tempo consistent throughout; any rubato should come from the soloist, not from the rhythm section.
How to use it
This works beautifully in the second half of a holiday concert, where it can settle an audience into a more introspective mood before building back to closing selections. It also serves as an excellent showcase piece during pops concerts or community performances where you want to highlight your ensemble's jazz capabilities.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and phrasing in an ensemble context
- Reading and balancing jazz voicings across the ensemble
- Accompanying a featured soloist while maintaining groove
- Interpreting harmonic color and dynamic shaping in jazz arranging