God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen: Choral SoundPax
Traditional English Carol / arr. with additional words and music by Donald Moore
Item: 00-PK-0004546
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Description
What do you get when you cross a familiar Christmas carol with an iconic jazz progression? This ultra-hip arrangement of "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" set in 5/4. Smooth unisons, basic scat-singing, and cool jazz chords define the style.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen: Choral SoundPax 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:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
14
SKU:
00-PK-0004546
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Arranger: Donald Moore
Donald Moore earned his Bachelor of Music in organ performance and Master of Arts in Teaching from Kent State University. He serves as Organist-Choirmaster at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and has composed and arranged more than 500 works across sacred, secular, educational, and popular choral styles, organ and piano repertoire, and eight instructional texts. His catalog spans multiple publishers including Alfred, Hal Leonard, Heritage Music Press, and others, and his pieces appear regularly at state contests, festivals, and music conventions across the country.
Moore is a seventeen-time recipient of the ASCAP Composers Standard Award and was recognized by the American Choral Directors Association as one of 400 seminal composers in the history of American choral music. Beyond his work in music education, Moore maintains an active involvement in motorsports, managing a competitive midget car race team with drivers competing throughout the United States.
Why we love this
Moore takes a beloved Renaissance carol and entirely reimagines it through a jazz lens, landing it in the groove-oriented 5/4 meter. The scat-singing elements and jazz harmonies make this feel contemporary and playful without losing the carol's identity, giving directors a sophisticated novelty arrangement that audiences genuinely enjoy hearing.
What to expect
Smooth and sophisticated, with the warmth of a jazz club rather than a concert hall. The 5/4 groove creates a gentle sway that feels both modern and surprisingly comfortable once singers embrace the meter, while the scat elements inject personality and humor into a carol listeners think they know completely.
Who it's for
Choirs comfortable with contemporary styles and non-traditional meters, particularly those looking to showcase versatility in a holiday program. This works well for high school and college ensembles, as well as adult community choirs that enjoy musical experimentation alongside traditional repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the 5/4 pulse early in rehearsal with a counting system (1-2-3-4-5) before tackling the melody; the meter will feel uneven until singers lock into the pattern.
- Shape the unison passages with phrase direction and subtle dynamics to maintain energy in what could otherwise feel static.
- Approach the scat sections as spoken rhythmic language first, then add pitch; this builds confidence and keeps the style playful rather than stiff.
- Balance jazz chord voicings by having singers listen inward to their own parts while tracking the bass line, which anchors the harmonic color.
How to use it
Program this as a palate-cleanser between more straightforward carols or hymns, or use it to open a holiday concert if your audience expects fresh interpretations. It signals that your choir isn't confined to traditional arrangements and gives singers a chance to show off stylistic range in a single showstopping number.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and maintaining 5/4 meter in a flowing context
- Interpreting jazz harmony and voice leading in choral writing
- Singing basic scat rhythms with precision and style
- Balancing unison passages with phrase shaping and group cohesion