Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-41801
Price: 1.95 USD
Availability: InStock

As Recorded by New York Voices

Words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane / arr. Darmon Meader

Item: 00-41801

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This arrangement, featured on the New York Voices 2013 holiday CD, is equally appealing to both concert and vocal jazz groups. Overflowing with opportunities for real music-making, starting with the opening line. You won't want to miss this one!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081468815

SKU: 00-41801

More about this title

About the Composer: Hugh Martin

Hugh Martin (1914-2011) composed some of the most enduring American popular songs of the mid-20th century, many written in collaboration with lyricist Ralph Blane. Together they created the score for the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis," which introduced "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and became a holiday standard. Martin's gift for accessible, singable melodies and his understanding of vocal writing made him a natural fit for both theatrical and choral contexts. His songs remain central to American popular music curricula and continue to inspire new arrangements for concert choirs.

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Why we love this

Darmon Meader's arrangement respects the iconic melody while unlocking genuine ensemble music-making from the opening phrase forward. The piece works equally well for concert choirs seeking holiday warmth and vocal jazz groups looking for a sophisticated entry point into the holiday repertoire. It's the rare arrangement that doesn't talk down to singers or bore audiences.

What to expect

Warm and familiar yet respectfully reimagined. The arrangement honors the song's nostalgic character while introducing harmonic layers that reward careful listening, creating an experience that feels both intimate and substantial.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits both concert choirs and vocal jazz ensembles looking for sophisticated holiday material. The score works for groups with solid part-singing skills and a comfort level with a cappella textures, from high school advanced choirs through community and college ensembles.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the opening line carefully. The tune is instantly recognizable, so clarity matters more than blend; let the melody sing through without being buried by the harmony.
Treat the a cappella texture as an opportunity for rhythmic precision. Without instrumental support, any rhythmic slippage becomes audible, so lock the ensemble through ensemble rhythmic articulation.
Shape the dynamic contours across phrases rather than within them. Let the song breathe between its natural musical phrases instead of pushing constantly forward.
Pay attention to vowel consistency in the sustained passages. A cappella writing exposes inconsistent vowel coloring, especially in the supporting parts.

How to use it

Anchor a holiday concert with this piece, pairing it with other secular seasonal work or using it as the emotional center of a mixed-repertoire set. Its a cappella nature makes it an excellent closing number or a reflective moment between higher-energy selections.