Have a Very Merry Christmas: SAB Choral Octavo

Waggoner avoids the predictable Christmas octavo trap by anchoring this piece in a genuine fanfare structure while weaving in "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as a melodic anchor rather than an afterthought. The optional brass and percussion parts give you flexibility: perform it with your choir alone for a polished concert moment, or add the instruments for a full seasonal celebration that still maintains musical substance.

The piece radiates holiday brightness through its fanfare opening, establishing an immediate sense of celebration and forward momentum. When "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" enters, it feels like a joyful proclamation rather than a novelty moment, grounded in the harmonic and textural richness of the SAB voicing.

Choirs of any size looking for a secular Christmas selection that sounds professional and festive without requiring extensive rehearsal time or advanced vocal technique. Directors seeking a flexible piece that works equally well in concert settings or combined with instrumental ensembles will find this particularly useful.

• Balance the SAB voicing so the soprano melody carries clearly without drowning out the alto and baritone parts, which support the harmonic foundation.
• If using the optional brass and percussion, use them to frame the piece rather than drive it; let the choir establish the jubilant character first.
• Shape the "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" section with a slight tempo lift and brighter articulation to distinguish it from the opening fanfare material.
• Rehearse this piece early enough in your holiday season to allow time for polish; the fanfare style demands crisp attacks and unified phrasing.

This works beautifully as the final selection in a mixed holiday concert, where its buoyant energy sends the audience out in a cheerful mood. It also pairs well mid-program as a palate cleanser between more serious seasonal repertoire, offering singers and listeners a moment of genuine merriment.

• Balancing three-part harmony in a homophonic texture
• Executing clean articulation in fanfare-style passages
• Blending SAB voicing with optional instrumental accompaniment
• Shaping contrasting sections while maintaining overall coherence