Do You Hear What I Hear (arr. Craig Courtney): Choral Instrumental Pak

Craig Courtney's arrangement respects the song's narrative arc while adding real harmonic sophistication. The dual instrumentation options (full orchestra or small combo) mean you can program this for nearly any venue, and the jazz inflections give a Christmas standard enough personality to feel fresh even in December's crowded concert calendar.

Elegant without becoming precious. The arrangement honors the song's gentle narrative progression about spreading news of hope, then enriches it with jazz harmonies and intricate voice leading that feels both modern and timeless. It's a piece that makes listeners lean in.

This arrangement suits choirs and orchestras looking for a substantial holiday piece that avoids novelty while keeping the song's core warmth intact. Directors who want their December concert to stand apart will find this particularly valuable.

• Balance the call and response sections carefully; the new counterpoint works only when both sides are clearly audible without either overwhelming the other.
• The shimmering chords Courtney uses require clean attacks from winds and strings. Spend rehearsal time on ensemble precision in these moments rather than rushing.
• If using the small combo, lock the rhythm section early so the piano and bass establish the harmonic foundation before soloists enter.

Position this as a centerpiece in a mixed holiday concert, pairing it with one simpler arrangement and one more traditional carol to create variety. The sophistication also makes it work well as a finale or as the bridge between secular and sacred holiday material.

• Singing sustained lines over walking bass and jazz harmony
• Balancing independent melodic lines in call and response textures
• Responding to harmonic color changes through dynamic and tonal adjustment
• Ensemble precision with winds and strings in shimmering chord passages
• Interpreting stylistic blend of traditional choral writing and light jazz idioms