December Joy: 2nd Trombone
Featuring: Deck the Hall / Here We Come A-Caroling / Jingle Bells
Traditional / arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0018834_TN2
$3.00
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Description
Arranged by Douglas E. Wagner, three well-known secular carol tunes are showcased in this big and brassy, bright and flashy seasonal extravaganza, especially suited as a concert opener.
Beginning with a cascade of chimes, soaring woodwind runs, and bold brass lines, "Deck the Hall" and "Here We Come A-Caroling" are presented with dynamic flair, interspersed with brief fanfare-like episodes. The mood transitions to a jaunting sleigh ride across the winter landscape, partnering the second time through with "Jingle Bells," as the spirited celebration closes with a short coda, drawn from musical materials heard in the opening measures of the work. (2:55) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Beginning with a cascade of chimes, soaring woodwind runs, and bold brass lines, "Deck the Hall" and "Here We Come A-Caroling" are presented with dynamic flair, interspersed with brief fanfare-like episodes. The mood transitions to a jaunting sleigh ride across the winter landscape, partnering the second time through with "Jingle Bells," as the spirited celebration closes with a short coda, drawn from musical materials heard in the opening measures of the work. (2:55) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, December Joy: 2nd Trombone 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
SKU:
00-PC-0018834_TN2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Butler University. He spent three decades as a high school music director and administrator before committing himself full-time to composing and arranging.
Since 1973, Wagner has published more than 3,500 works across an expansive range of genres: school and church choirs, concert band, orchestra, handbell ensembles, organ, piano, and voice. His music has sold over seventeen million copies worldwide and appears regularly in concert halls, on radio and television broadcasts throughout the United States, and on international stages. He now lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy.
Why we love this
Wagner transforms three beloved carols into a single, energetic package that opens your holiday concert with immediate impact. The writing balances accessibility at Grade 3 with genuine musical sophistication: chiming textures, soaring woodwind passages, and bold brass writing keep the ensemble engaged while remaining playable for developing bands. It solves the practical challenge of programming carols without sacrificing shine.
What to expect
Bright festivity meets genuine orchestral color. The piece launches with cascading chimes and soaring woodwind lines before settling into the warmth of familiar melody, then kicks into a rollicking sleigh ride full of forward momentum. It's holiday music that swings and sparkles rather than simply presents carols.
Who it's for
Band directors seeking a showstopper holiday opener that works for Grade 3 ensembles without sounding simplified. The accessible writing allows developing players to contribute meaningfully to a polished, concert-ready arrangement without requiring advanced technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening chimes against the woodwind runs so the percussion textures don't disappear under the energy of the upper voices.
- Lean into the fanfare sections as true musical punctuation rather than transitions; they frame the carol material and demand clarity from your brass.
- Shape the sleigh ride section with steady groove in the rhythm section while allowing the melody carriers to sing through with lyrical phrasing.
- Use the coda's return to opening materials as a moment to heighten articulation and brightness, leaving your audience on a lifted dynamic.
How to use it
Open your December concert with this piece to establish energy and engagement immediately. Its three-minute runtime and clear structural arc make it an ideal first selection that sets an upbeat tone without exhausting your audience before the main program begins.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing lyrical melody lines against obbligato and accompanimental material
- Articulation clarity in fanfare passages and rhythmic precision in dance-like sections
- Dynamic control across sustained textures and rhythmic drives
- Ensemble blend when multiple familiar melodies occupy different registers simultaneously