Mary Donnelly spent three decades in the classroom, teaching general music and choir to students across elementary and middle school in Reno, Nevada. Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno (with majors in English and French) and a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College, where she focused on integrating arts across the curriculum.
In 1985, Donnelly began a prolific collaboration with arranger George L.O. Strid when their principal asked them to compose a musical for a sixth grade Reading Week event. That first project, The Million Dollar Mystery, launched a partnership that has produced over two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. She remains active in ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP.
Why we love this
Donnelly and Strid have crafted an arrangement that respects the carol's quiet reverence while keeping it accessible for younger singers. The two-part voicing allows middle school and upper elementary choirs to sing with confidence, and the setting avoids oversimplification without demanding advanced technique.
What to expect
The carol carries an intimate, wondering quality that invites singers to connect with the question posed in the text. Rather than festive excitement, this setting evokes a quieter journey marked by curiosity and sincerity.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits elementary and middle school choirs seeking a contemplative Christmas piece that sits comfortably in young voices. It works equally well for community or church choirs looking for something gentler than typical holiday fare.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the two parts so neither voice disappears; this carol thrives on the gentle interplay between lines rather than one part dominating.
Keep the tempo unhurried and allow the question at the heart of the text to breathe; resist the urge to rush through phrases.
Shape dynamics carefully around the text's arc; the emotional weight shifts as the distance to Bethlehem becomes clearer.
How to use it
Position this piece early in a holiday concert as a moment of reflection, or pair it with other Donnelly and Strid arrangements to showcase the team's gift for setting meaningful text. The eleven pages and manageable voicing make it practical for programs that include singers with varying experience levels.
Skills your students will build
Two-part singing and part independence
Text painting and emotional communication
Sustained phrasing across longer musical lines
Carol repertoire and style conventions
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