Christmas Winds (Overture): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

Christmas Winds (Overture): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Christmas Winds (Overture): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-BD9829
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-BD9829

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When the joy of the holidays begins to sprinkle down on all of us, we know that the annual concert is near. Douglas Wagner samples some of the great traditional carols including HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING, WHILE BY MY SHEEP (THE ECHO CAROL), GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN, PATAPAN, STILL, STILL, STILL and ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH to focus this superior holiday offering. Give your audience the melodies they want to hear in this very special, sparkling setting. (4:18)

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Series: Belwin Concert Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 242

UPC: 029156911978

SKU: 00-BD9829

More about this title

About the Arranger: Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned degrees in music from Butler University before spending three decades as a high school music director and administrator. Since 1973, he has become one of the most prolific composers in American music education, with more than 3,500 published works across choral, band, orchestral, handbell, organ, and vocal literature. His arrangements and compositions have sold over seventeen million copies and are performed regularly in concert halls, schools, and churches across the United States and internationally.

Now based in Indianapolis, Wagner devotes his full attention to composition and arranging. His deep background in the high school music classroom informs every score he writes, which is why his works consistently balance musical substance with practical teachability.

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Why we love this

Wagner understands what audiences want to hear at a holiday concert, and he delivers it without sentimentality. Six beloved carols woven together with clarity and sparkle means your students get meaningful repertoire while your audience leaves satisfied. The Grade 3 scoring sits at that perfect sweet spot where competent high school bands (and strong middle school ensembles) can make this sound genuinely polished.

What to expect

Warmth meets sophistication. Wagner's orchestration wraps the traditional melodies in rich harmonic colors and thoughtful voice leading, creating something that feels festive without being schmaltzy. The result is an overture that carries the spirit of the season while maintaining musical integrity.

Who it's for

High school concert bands and advanced middle school ensembles looking for substantial holiday programming that sounds more refined than typical seasonal fare. Directors who want their audience to experience genuine artistry alongside familiar melodies will find this arrangement delivers both.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melodic exchanges between sections carefully. When Wagner moves a tune from woodwinds to brass, the transfer needs to be seamless; slight dynamic adjustments help clarify the handoffs without disrupting flow.
Distinguish the character of each carol rather than treating them as interchangeable. STILL, STILL, STILL calls for warmth and restraint; PATAPAN needs rhythmic vitality. The variety is the arrangement's strength.
Let the accompaniment figures breathe. The parts that support the main melodies (especially lower voices and percussion) are what create the 'sparkling' texture. Resist the urge to make everything equally prominent.
Approach the transitions between carols as moments to reset the ensemble's energy. A slight breath or a controlled ritardando signals a fresh start without losing the overall arc of the four-minute-plus work.

How to use it

Open a holiday concert with this piece to establish an elegant tone from the first moments, or anchor the second half of a program when the audience is most receptive to extended works. Paired with a lighter opening number and a concluding march, it forms the musical centerpiece of a well-balanced December concert.