Counting Down to Christmas: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original Broadway production while keeping the vocal writing accessible for school choirs. The rhythmic momentum and contemporary pop style give choral singers material that feels current and genuinely fun to perform, which translates directly to audience engagement at holiday concerts.

Upbeat and playful with undeniable Broadway polish, this piece channels modern pop-choral energy without losing warmth. The rhythmic drive and accessible melodies make it feel celebratory rather than overly reverent, giving singers and listeners something genuinely fun to share during the holiday season.

High school choirs and strong middle school ensembles looking for holiday repertoire with contemporary appeal. Directors seeking material that connects with students' musical tastes while remaining performance-ready will find this arrangement both singable and engaging.

• Keep the rhythm section locked and driving throughout. The groove is the foundation of this piece, so your accompaniment track should feel propulsive rather than stiff.
• Shape the phrasing around the lyrical content rather than strict measure lines. Let the text breathe during conversational moments, then tighten energy back up for the rhythmic sections.
• Balance blend with clarity in the ensemble sections. You want unified sound, but the upbeat character demands that individual voices stay energized and articulate.
• Experiment with dynamics to highlight the counting-down concept. Gradual builds and strategic drops reinforce the song's structural arc and keep momentum fresh across multiple verses.

Program this as an opener or closer on a holiday concert to set an uplifting tone and showcase your choir's contemporary style. Pair it with traditional carols to create musical contrast, or build an entire pops-influenced holiday set around pieces in similar voice and spirit.

• Rhythmic precision in pop/contemporary idiom
• Blending ensemble sound while maintaining individual line clarity
• Shaping phrases through text expression rather than purely metric phrasing
• Balancing energized articulation with blend and balance