Grown-Up Christmas List: SSA Choral Octavo

Greg Gilpin's arrangement honors the song's emotional core while making it genuinely singable for developing SSA singers. The piece works equally well as a concert closer or paired with other secular holiday repertoire, and the recorded accompaniment gives directors flexibility in rehearsal and performance.

Childlike hope and mature reflection blend seamlessly throughout. The melody carries a gentle, almost wistful quality that makes the deeper message about peace and healing land with quiet power rather than sentimentality.

This arrangement works for SSA choirs at the high school, college, and adult levels. Directors seeking meaningful secular holiday repertoire with emotional depth will find this piece strikes the right balance between accessibility and substance.

• Emphasize the lyrical quality of the melody in the soprano line, particularly in the verses where the vulnerability of the text matters most.
• Balance the harmony parts carefully so inner voices support without overshadowing the main tune; this is especially important in the chorus where all three parts move together.
• Allow time for singers to genuinely connect with the message of the text rather than rushing through rhythmic passages.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it regularly so singers develop security before performance.

Program this as a featured item in a holiday concert, where its contrast with traditional carols provides welcome variety. The eight-page format and moderate difficulty make it feasible to prepare alongside other seasonal repertoire without excessive rehearsal time.

• Sustained legit singing through longer phrases
• Balancing melody and harmony in three-part writing
• Interpreting text for emotional authenticity rather than technical precision
• Blending voices while maintaining individual line clarity