Groovin the Halls: Brass Choir Score & Parts

Bubbett takes a beloved carol and strips away reverence in favor of pure groove. The funky rhythmic foundation and playful approach make this the kind of arrangement that gets your brass section grinning from the downbeat, and audiences will respond to its infectious energy without ever losing sight of the familiar melody.

Spicy and modern, with the kind of swagger that makes a familiar tune feel brand new. The grooves are infectious, the energy is relentless, and the playful attitude reminds listeners that holiday music doesn't have to be reverent to be beloved.

Brass choirs, quintet ensembles, and community brass groups ready to program something that breaks the mold of traditional holiday repertoire. Directors looking to showcase their players' rhythmic precision and stylistic versatility will find solid material here at an accessible level.

• Lock the rhythmic subdivisions across the section early; the groove only lands when every player commits to the exact same internal pulse.
• Balance the melody against the supporting groove voices so the familiar tune cuts through without overshadowing the funky character driving the arrangement.
• Lean into the playful attitude by giving yourself permission to articulate crisply and attack with purpose rather than playing it safe.

Perfect as a concert closer when you want to send audiences out energized rather than contemplative. Position it after more traditional holiday selections to create programming contrast, or use it as the final statement in a holiday concert to leave people smiling and talking as they head for the exits.

• Funk and contemporary groove articulation and rhythmic precision
• Balancing ensemble voices in non-traditional harmonic contexts
• Stylistic flexibility and playful musical interpretation
• Tight rhythmic unison and subdivision accuracy across a full brass section