Fantasia on "Christmas Comes Anew": Concert Band Conductor Score

Story captures the timeless appeal of this medieval French carol while writing idiomatically for young band. The Grade 2 setting preserves the carol's melodic strength without sacrificing color or scoring sophistication, making it genuinely rewarding for both musicians and audiences.

The piece radiates warmth and festive energy grounded in centuries of tradition. Story's fantasia approach creates textural variety and rhythmic interest while keeping the beloved melody at the foreground, inviting the audience into a familiar carol reimagined.

Beginning through intermediate high school and middle school concert bands seeking a substantial yet accessible holiday selection. Directors programming winter concerts will find this piece balances genuine musicianship with technical feasibility at Grade 2.

• Balance the melody across sections as it passes between instruments; young players often need reminders about blend when multiple voices carry the tune simultaneously.
• Maintain consistent articulation within each section to clarify the phrase structure. Slight variations between woodwinds and brass can highlight the fantasia's sectional contrasts.
• Let the carol's character breathe. Avoid rushing through moderate tempos; the sixteenth-century melody has room for musical interpretation beyond mere note-reading.

Slot this into your December concert as a centerpiece that appeals across multiple audience generations. Its accessibility makes it an ideal vehicle for featuring young soloists or highlighting individual section leadership without undermining the ensemble's overall musicianship.

• Melodic balance and awareness when the theme migrates between instrumental families
• Sectional articulation consistency and independence
• Phrasing and interpretation of traditional melodies in contemporary arrangements
• Reading a conductor score with multiple instrument doublings and sustained harmonic support