December Gifts: Choral Teacher's Handbook

Albrecht and Althouse have created a musical that genuinely celebrates the full spectrum of December observances rather than defaulting to Christmas alone. The 48-page handbook format means you get orchestration choices, teaching notes, and clear staging guidance alongside repertoire that works for elementary voices and mixed ensembles. This is the kind of winter program that reflects your actual community.

The music moves between celebratory and reflective moments, mirroring the different spiritual and cultural significance of each holiday. You'll find bright unison passages for younger singers, accessible harmonies for older students, and enough melodic shape in each section that students feel the emotional weight of gift-giving traditions across cultures.

Elementary music teachers and choir directors in grades K through 6 who want to program a cohesive winter concert that honors multiple December traditions. This works equally well for general music classrooms doing a winter unit and for choir programs serving diverse families.

• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to establish steady tempos and free your voice for modeling and cueing ensemble entrances.
• Layer in choral movement gradually during early rehearsals so students connect the music to its cultural context before executing choreography at tempo.
• Balance solo and ensemble sections by having students shadow soloists during run-throughs; this builds confidence in featured singers and keeps the full choir engaged.
• Prepare your younger students for key changes by isolating transitions during sectionals and having them listen to the recorded version in small groups before full ensemble work.

Program this as a standalone winter concert or as the centerpiece of a holiday assembly where your elementary and middle school choirs perform together. The handbook structure supports a school-wide program where different grade levels tackle age-appropriate songs, or you can select individual pieces to weave into a broader winter concert alongside instrumental ensembles.

• Singing unison and two-part harmonies
• Following choreography while maintaining vocal control
• Interpreting lyrics that represent multiple cultural traditions
• Singing through key changes
• Responding to conducting cues in a musical theater context