Deck the Hall and Swing It: Drums
Traditional Welsh Carol / arr., with new music, by Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PC-0018475_D
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Description
Crisp and cool as a peppermint stick, this re-imagined carol is refreshing in every way. From the light swing rhythms of the familiar melody to a jazz fantasia of "Fa la la's" in counterpoint, it's just the right blend of familiar, fun, and festive! A rhythm section SoundTrax is available.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PC-0018475_D
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jay Althouse
Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. Early in his career, he worked for eight years in rights and licensing at a major educational music publisher, serving on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America.
As a composer, Althouse has over 800 choral works in print across all voice levels, performed widely throughout English-speaking countries. He is a writer member of ASCAP and a regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award. Beyond his compositions, he has co-created children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, compiled vocal solo collections including Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and co-authored The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His educational writing includes Ready to Read Music, Sixty Music Quizzes, and One-Page Composer Bios. Althouse co-wrote I Hear America Singing, performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Obama's 2009 Inauguration. He serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and has contributed to its quarterly publication.
Why we love this
Althouse's take on this familiar carol strips away sentimentality and replaces it with genuine rhythmic energy. The pairing of swing-inflected melody with a counterpoint "Fa la la" fantasia creates a piece that feels contemporary without losing the carol's warmth, making it ideal for choirs seeking holiday repertoire that stands apart from traditional interpretations.
What to expect
This is holiday music with a contemporary edge, crisp and swinging rather than reverent. The familiar melody anchors you in tradition while unexpected harmonic turns and the playful "Fa la la" fantasia keep the ear engaged and surprised, creating a carol that feels both instantly recognizable and refreshingly modern.
Who it's for
Choirs at intermediate to advanced levels comfortable navigating jazz idioms and rhythmic sophistication. This works equally well for concert choirs, jazz-focused ensembles, and community choirs looking to program something seasonally relevant that challenges singers rhythmically and harmonically.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the swing feel early in rehearsals by having singers feel the triplet subdivision within the duple meter; this underpins the "cool" character Althouse intends.
- Balance the familiar melody line against the jazz harmonies so neither overwhelms the other; neither the nostalgia nor the modernity should dominate the blend.
- In the "Fa la la" counterpoint sections, drill rhythmic precision with the rhythm section SoundTrax to lock the interweaving parts together cleanly.
- Let the peppermint-stick freshness breathe by resisting the urge to slow down; this arrangement thrives at a confident, energetic tempo.
How to use it
Feature this as a standalone holiday showcase piece that bridges your traditional and contemporary repertoire, or program it as a centerpiece for a December concert where it can contrast with more classical carols. Its energy and approachability make it especially effective as a closing number that leaves audiences in good spirits.
Skills your students will build
- Singing swing rhythms and triplet subdivisions in jazz context
- Balancing familiar melody with contemporary harmonic language
- Executing counterpoint in rhythmically active passages
- Ensemble precision when coordinating with rhythm section