Have a Swingin' Merry Christmas: Drums
Featuring: Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly / Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Various / arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0018508_D
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
It never feels like Christmas until the music starts playing. Seems like we just can't get enough of those familiar carols that consistently bring back happy memories year after year, and enkindle excitement for yet another season of joy ahead with friends and family.
Instantly recognizable Christmas standards, "Deck the Hall" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" (along with a hint of "Jingle Bells" at the beginning and at the end), come together in this lighthearted medley, Have a Swingin' Merry Christmas, by Douglas E. Wagner, arranged in a laid-back swing groove.
This one is sure to put a smile on Santa's face! (1:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Instantly recognizable Christmas standards, "Deck the Hall" and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" (along with a hint of "Jingle Bells" at the beginning and at the end), come together in this lighthearted medley, Have a Swingin' Merry Christmas, by Douglas E. Wagner, arranged in a laid-back swing groove.
This one is sure to put a smile on Santa's face! (1:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Have a Swingin' Merry Christmas: Drums 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:
Belwin Intermediate String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
76
SKU:
00-PC-0018508_D
More about this title
About the Arranger: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Butler University. He spent three decades as a high school music director and administrator before transitioning to full-time composition and arranging work.
Since 1973, Wagner has published over 3,500 compositions across virtually every ensemble type: school and church choirs, concert bands, orchestras, handbells, organ, piano, and voice. His music has reached an estimated audience of seventeen million performers and listeners worldwide, appearing in concert halls, on radio and television broadcasts across the United States, and in performances internationally. He currently lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy.
Why we love this
Wagner brings warmth and accessibility to this medley without sacrificing musicality. The swing groove gives these familiar carols genuine character, transforming what could be routine into something your players will actually enjoy performing. It's a straightforward, effective way to add festive energy to a winter concert without overshadowing younger ensembles in a mixed program.
What to expect
Relaxed and buoyant, like a trip through a snowy street with carolers who actually know how to swing. The medley format keeps energy moving while the familiar melodies create instant connection with audiences of all ages.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras looking for repertoire that engages young players while maintaining musicianship. Directors programming winter concerts need material that works for mixed-ability ensembles and gives students the joy of recognizing what they're playing.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the laid-back swing feel from the downbeat; resist the urge to rush, which happens naturally when players are excited about the holidays. Let the rhythm section (cellos and basses) anchor the groove, and ask violins to think of their eighth notes as slightly detached rather than legato.
- Balance the melody between first and second violins carefully during the transitions between carols. The familiar tunes should pop without drowning out the harmonic foundation Wagner provides.
- Use the brief "Jingle Bells" moments as dynamic peak points. These sudden shifts need crisp attacks and clean cutoffs to register the humor and surprise.
How to use it
Position this early in your winter concert to set a cheerful tone and warm up your ensemble. It pairs well with more serious holiday fare or contemporary selections, giving your program variety without requiring substantial rehearsal time.
Skills your students will build
- Understanding and executing swing articulation and phrasing
- Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment in a mixed texture
- Managing tempo consistency within a groove-based arrangement
- Quick transitions between adjacent melodic ideas in medley format