Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (arr. Ted Ricketts): Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Ted Ricketts
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK01412419
$70.00
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Description
A time-honored favorite carol is given a fresh, creative treatment with this new arrangement by Ted Ricketts. With its brass fanfares, contemporary harmony and sparkling orchestration, it can be a part of any orchestra's holiday program and a library staple for years to come.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01412419
More about this title
About the Arranger: Ted Ricketts
Ted Ricketts has built a reputation as an arranger who respects the bones of familiar melodies while reimagining them for contemporary ensembles. His work balances accessibility with musical sophistication, making him a trusted voice for directors seeking fresh orchestrations that don't alienate audiences.
Why we love this
Ricketts strips away the predictable and installs brass fanfares and contemporary harmonies that catch listeners off guard in the best way. Grade 4 orchestras often lack arrangements that feel both playable and genuinely inventive; this one delivers both.
What to expect
Brass catches the light while strings shimmer underneath, creating a sense of celebration that feels earned rather than saccharine. The contemporary harmonies add subtle color without breaking the carol's emotional spine; it sounds like tradition with modern eyes.
Who it's for
Orchestra programs at the Grade 4 level looking to program a carol that feels current without abandoning the carol's essential character. Directors who want a holiday offering that engages both traditional audiences and musicians seeking something beyond vanilla arrangements.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the brass fanfares so they punctuate rather than overwhelm the melodic line. Strings should never disappear beneath the horns.
- Shape the phrasing of the familiar melody through subtle dynamic breathing rather than rigid tempo changes. Let the accompaniment respond to where the tune wants to breathe.
- Rehearse the contemporary harmonies in isolation with the harmonic section before full orchestra rehearsals. Unusual chord voicings need confidence to land.
- Record a run-through at full tempo early in your rehearsal process. The sparkle of the orchestration only emerges when the ensemble trusts the tempo.
How to use it
Position this as your opening number on a holiday concert to signal that the evening will honor tradition while taking musical risks. Pair it with a more introspective carol or chamber arrangement to show range and give your ensemble dynamic variety across the program.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing multiple layers of texture and dynamic intensity across a full orchestra
- Interpreting contemporary harmonic language within a familiar melodic framework
- Executing clean brass articulation and sustain in an exposed fanfare context
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion when parts move at different rhythmic densities
- Sculpting phrase shape through dynamic inflection rather than tempo manipulation