First Rockin' Christmas: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Modern and approachable, with a steady rock pulse that keeps young players engaged. The two familiar melodies sit comfortably under the contemporary groove, creating something that feels fresh rather than nostalgic.

Directors seeking holiday repertoire for groups in their first or second year of concert band experience. This arrangement works equally well for groups tackling their inaugural winter concert or those wanting a confident, accessible piece to build ensemble confidence mid-year.

• Lock the rock rhythms early in rehearsal by isolating the rhythm section (drums, bass, and any chordal instruments) and drilling them as a unit before bringing in the melody lines.
• Emphasize the contrast between the lighter, cleaner passages and the fuller ensemble moments; this prevents the piece from feeling one-dimensional across its length.
• Let your percussionists own their breaks. Even at this level, a confident snare player or timpani roll adds swagger and keeps the ensemble engaged during transitions.
• Balance the melody across different sections as the arrangement rotates it around. Conduct through these shifts clearly so each group knows when to lean in and when to support.

Program this as your winter concert opener to set an energetic, accessible tone, or use it mid-concert to shift the mood before moving into more lyrical material. The Grade 1 difficulty means it rehearses efficiently, freeing time to develop more challenging pieces.

• Reading and executing rock/contemporary rhythmic patterns (syncopation within a steady backbeat)
• Balancing individual lines while supporting ensemble texture
• Responding to melodic rotations across sections
• Interpreting percussion breaks with musicality and precision