Gonna Catch That Santa: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This piece captures exactly what makes holiday choral concerts memorable: a concept so strong that even the youngest singers stay engaged through the whole performance. The big band style SoundTrax accompaniment gives the arrangement swing and energy that feels contemporary, while the built-in choreography option transforms a novelty song into a genuine production moment that audiences love.

Conspiratorial and bouncy, like a group of kids plotting in hushed, excited whispers that keep breaking into grins. The big band groove gives it a playful sophistication that feels less "cutesy" and more genuinely fun, the kind of piece where singers want to perform it again the moment the last note ends.

Elementary and middle school choirs looking for a Christmas piece that holds young singers' attention through humor and theatrical energy. This works equally well for holiday concerts, winter assemblies, or standalone rehearsals where engagement is as important as musical development.

• Balance the comedic intent with clear articulation; the swinging rhythms will land hardest when vowels stay pure and consonants snap crisply.
• Lean into the "sneaky" character during rehearsals by exploring dynamics and vocal color. Let singers find where they're loud and conspiratorial versus where they pull back.
• Layer the choreography gradually. Teach the singing first with full confidence, then add movement once the tune and rhythms sit securely.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove early. Students will find their place faster when they lock into the big band feel from day one.

Program this as a centerpiece moment in a holiday concert; its theatrical nature and high entertainment value make it an ideal anchor for the second half of a program. Pair it alongside more traditional carols to create a program arc that moves between reverence and joy, or use it as the opener to set a celebratory tone from the start.

• Singing in a big band swing style with appropriate rhythmic lift and articulation
• Executing choreography while maintaining vocal support and ensemble precision
• Coordinating ensemble comedy timing and dynamics for dramatic effect
• Sight-reading rhythm patterns with syncopation and syncopated entrances
• Sustaining musical energy and character consistency across a novelty-style arrangement