Christmas Winds (Overture): E-flat Alto Clarinet
Arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0002077_AC1
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Description
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)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Christmas Winds (Overture): E-flat Alto Clarinet comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
242
SKU:
00-PC-0002077_AC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner studied composition and music education at Butler University, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees. After three decades leading high school music programs as educator and administrator, he transitioned to full-time composition work and has since published over 3,500 titles across choir, concert band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, and voice literature. His music reaches audiences globally through concert halls, broadcasts, and educational ensembles, with cumulative sales exceeding seventeen million copies.
Based in Indianapolis with his wife Sandy, Wagner brings decades of classroom experience to his compositional voice. His prolific catalog reflects deep understanding of what musicians at all levels need to perform successfully, making his arrangements and original works staples in school and community music programs worldwide.
Why we love this
Wagner weaves six beloved carols into a cohesive, sparkling overture without sacrificing the melodies your audience knows and loves. The Grade 3 scoring keeps it accessible for most concert bands while maintaining sophistication in the orchestration and harmonic language. At just over four minutes, it delivers maximum holiday impact with minimum rehearsal demand.
What to expect
Sparkling, warm, and steeped in tradition. The writing honors the dignity of these classic carols while adding orchestral color and forward momentum. You hear the carols clearly but experience them anew through Wagner's deft combinations and harmonic refreshment.
Who it's for
Concert bands in the Grade 2-4 range looking for authentic holiday programming that goes beyond simple carol arrangements. Directors seeking a single, unified piece that contains multiple familiar melodies will find this overture efficient for holiday concerts, winter assemblies, or community performances.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the featured melodic lines across sections; many carols pass from woodwinds to brass. Identify these handoffs in rehearsal so transitions sound seamless rather than abrupt.
- Shape each carol's phrasing distinctly. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING needs broad, hymn-like character, while PATAPAN calls for rhythmic energy and clarity. Varying the textural approach keeps the medley engaging.
- Pay attention to articulation changes between carol sections. Clear tongue on the rhythmic material in PATAPAN and staccato passages; lean into legato for STILL, STILL, STILL and ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH.
- Use dynamic contrast to spotlight each carol. Restrain the full ensemble on first statements, reserving fortissimo moments for climactic restatements or combinations of melodies.
How to use it
Open or close your holiday concert with this piece; its uplifting energy and familiar melodies make it an ideal anchor point. Pair it with original compositions or lesser-known sacred works to round out a winter program that balances tradition with discovery.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing transparent melodic lines across multiple sections
- Maintaining consistent articulation while tracking melody shifts between instruments
- Shaping phrased musical statements with appropriate dynamic and textural contrast
- Reading full concert band instrumentation and understanding voice leading in harmonic context