Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane / arr. Ryan Nowlin
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0008781
$70.00
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Description
This stunning yet highly playable arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas truly captures the spirit of one of the most beloved Christmas songs. Arranger Ryan Nowlin has struck the perfect balance between simplicity and lush harmonies as the music develops, allowing for an incredible musical experience. Sure to make a heartfelt impact on your audience. (3:15)
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: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
MakeMusic Young Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008781
More about this title
About the Composer: Hugh Martin
Hugh Martin composed some of the most enduring American songs of the mid-20th century, working primarily in film and musical theater. His partnership with lyricist Ralph Blane produced "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, a standard that has become inseparable from holiday traditions across generations.
Martin's gift for melody combined accessibility with emotional depth, making his work ideal for arrangement and adaptation across many musical contexts and skill levels. His influence on American popular song and holiday music remains central to music education and performance.
Why we love this
Ryan Nowlin's arrangement respects the melody's inherent warmth while building sophisticated harmonic support that grows naturally with each phrase. A Grade 2 band can deliver genuine musicality and dynamic shape here, not just a simplified rendition. The 3:15 runtime gives you a substantial seasonal offering without overextending young musicians or rehearsal time.
What to expect
Warm and nostalgic, with a gentle forward motion that builds from intimate to generous. The arrangement treats a familiar melody with care, adding color and depth that feels natural rather than overstuffed.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level who need a repertoire piece that sounds polished and holiday-appropriate without excessive technical demands. This works equally well for holiday concerts, pops programs, or year-end celebrations where you want genuine musicianship on display.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the tune so the primary melody voice carries clearly over the harmony, especially in the early sections where the arrangement is more transparent.
- Shape phrases with subtle dynamic contours rather than sudden jumps; the arrangement's development depends on gradual harmonic enrichment, so let that speak through steady ensemble control.
- Front-load your sectional work on intonation in the sustained chords, where tuning issues become most apparent to listeners.
- Resist the urge to rush; the arrangement has time to breathe, and letting it settle gives the lush harmonies their full impact.
How to use it
Close a holiday concert with this as your final number before a brief intermission, or open a winter pops program with it to establish a reflective mood. You could also pair it with other seasonal arrangements at similar difficulty levels for a thematic holiday medley.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining and shaping longer phrases across harmonic changes
- Balance and blend in four-part textures
- Stylistic control of a popular song arrangement
- Dynamic contrast and musical storytelling at an accessible level