Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: 2nd Trombone
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: 2nd Trombone Sheet Music Preview

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: 2nd Trombone

Words and music by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane / arr. Alan Baylock

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-PC-0017171_TN2
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Description
As recorded by the USAF Airmen of Note and arranged by Alan Baylock in the style of "Li'l Darlin'," this slow swing is the ideal chart for the holidays. It features no improvised solo but it has a written trumpet melody solo. Lead trumpet range is to written G on top of the staff, and it's technically a very easy chart to play. Another superb Baylock arrangement. (3:02)

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Additional Details
Series: Jazz Band Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 58
SKU: 00-PC-0017171_TN2

More about this title

About the Composer: Hugh Martin

Hugh Martin composed the standard "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with lyricist Ralph Blane in 1943 for the film "Meet Me in St. Louis." The song has become one of the most enduring holiday compositions in the American songbook, recorded by countless artists across jazz, pop, and classical traditions. Martin's gift for melody and harmonic sophistication ensured the tune would outlast its original context and remain a staple of seasonal programming.

Why we love this

Alan Baylock's arrangement channels the irresistible ease of "Li'l Darlin'" without demanding a drum major's worth of rehearsal time. The written trumpet solo gives your lead player a chance to shine on a melodic line that sits naturally in the staff, and the Grade 3 difficulty means your section players stay engaged rather than counting rests for three minutes. A genuine crowd-pleaser that sounds like you spent weeks on it.

What to expect

Warm, unhurried, and genuinely festive without veering into novelty territory. The slow swing setting invites the ensemble and audience to settle in together, letting a beautiful standard breathe in a contemporary jazz voice.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level looking for a polished holiday selection that doesn't require advanced reading or section maturity. Directors programming a winter concert need a piece that balances a recognizable melody with enough ensemble sophistication to keep serious players interested.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the swing eighth-note feel with a loose, relaxed touch. This chart thrives on space between phrases rather than driving urgency.
  • Balance the trumpet melody against the ensemble backing; the solo should emerge naturally without requiring aggressive dynamics from the sections.
  • Use the recorded Airmen of Note performance as a tempo and groove reference, but trust your ensemble's own pocket once they lock in.
  • Pay attention to the voicing clarity in the horn section during sustained chords, especially in the lower register where mud can hide good voice leading.

How to use it

Place this midway through a winter concert to shift the energy after a more energetic piece, or open the second half with it to reset the room. It pairs well with other holiday standards or secular winter repertoire, and the moderate length makes it ideal for a program that needs structural balance without sacrificing musical substance.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and maintaining steady swing eighth-note subdivision
  • Blending and balancing within jazz voicings
  • Supporting a featured soloist while maintaining ensemble cohesion
  • Phrasing and shaping sustained harmonic backgrounds

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