Holiday Jazz!: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jacobson and Shaw have crafted a holiday arrangement that lets your choir shine without requiring instrumental expertise you may not have on staff. The SoundTrax digital accompaniment means you control the tempo and can rehearse confidently from day one, while the optional instrumental parts keep the door open for fuller arrangements once your students are ready. This is the kind of practical, director-friendly writing that made Jacobson's reputation: solid musical craft paired with real-world teaching needs.

Holiday Jazz! brings a contemporary, rhythmic energy to familiar seasonal territory. The jazz styling sits at the intersection of accessibility and sophistication, lifting the arrangement above typical holiday fare without alienating singers or audiences who expect traditional carols.

Any choir director seeking holiday literature that lands musically without demanding months of rehearsal time. The straightforward voicing and recorded accompaniment support developing ensembles, while the jazz sensibility keeps high school and community choirs interested and engaged. Jacobson's reputation for writing that sings naturally makes this accessible across skill levels.

• Load the SoundTrax download on a device you can control during rehearsals and performances. Knowing exactly where you are in the accompaniment gives students the security to sing through any rough spots.
• Use the movement and staging suggestions to break up extended phrases and give your singers a physical focus. Even simple staging prevents static positioning and helps younger ensembles stay engaged.
• Rehearse the recorded accompaniment at rehearsal tempos first, then gradually increase speed as your ensemble solidifies the voicing and blend. Rushing to performance tempo before the music is secure will undermine your intonation.
• If you have instrumental players available, pull the instrumental parts into your final rehearsals and performances. The orchestration was designed to enhance, not replace, the vocal lines.

Schedule this for your December concert as a closer that transitions between traditional numbers and modern arrangements, signaling a shift in tone and mood. The secular foundation makes it ideal for diverse performance contexts, whether you're performing in schools, community centers, or interfaith settings. If your program spans classical to contemporary styles, this piece serves as an effective bridge between those worlds.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing conventions
• Singing over syncopated accompaniment patterns
• Blend and balance in contemporary harmonic sonorities
• Interpretation of recorded accompaniment cues without a live conductor