Irving Berlin's Christmas (Medley): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Irving Berlin / Arranged by Michael Brown / Arranged by Mark Brymer
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00154884
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Description
This spectacular setting of some of Irving Berlin's classic songs offers a variety of entertaining performance options and highlights his most beloved holiday songs. The 7-minute medley includes: "Happy Holiday," "Snow, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," and "White Christmas." Dur: 6:40
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00154884
More about this title
About the Composer: Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin (1888-1989) composed some of the most enduring songs in American popular music, with a catalog spanning nearly eight decades. His gift for melody and his instinct for what audiences wanted made him a dominant force in musical theater and film, yet his compositions remain remarkably accessible to musicians of all levels. Berlin's holiday songs in particular have become standards because they combine sophistication with immediate emotional appeal, making them ideal repertoire for student ensembles.
Why we love this
Michael Brown and Mark Brymer have assembled four of Berlin's most recognized holiday songs into a single medley that works brilliantly for high school string orchestras. The Grade 3-4 setting preserves the warmth and clarity of the original melodies while remaining technically manageable, and the variety of moods within the seven minutes keeps both performers and audiences engaged throughout.
What to expect
Warmth, nostalgia, and genuine joy radiate through these four classics, each one evoking the comfort and magic of the holiday season. The medley moves between tender reflection and sparkling celebration, creating a sense of continuity that feels both timeless and personal.
Who it's for
This medley serves high school string orchestras and skilled middle school groups looking for polished concert material that audiences immediately recognize and enjoy. Directors preparing a winter concert program will appreciate that it delivers sophistication and entertainment value without requiring advanced technique from the ensemble.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody across your first violins and violas; these Berlin tunes succeed when the singing line cuts through clearly without drowning out the harmonic foundation underneath.
- Pay close attention to the transitions between songs. Conductors should use tempo relationships and clean cutoffs to shape the flow so each new section feels natural rather than abrupt.
- Shape the dynamics within each song rather than treating verses as uniformly soft and choruses as uniformly loud. Berlin's harmonic progressions often suggest subtle swells that highlight his voice leading.
- Lock in with the recorded accompaniment if you are using it, but rehearse the medley without it several times so your orchestra owns the tempo and phrasing independently.
How to use it
Open a winter concert with this medley to establish an inviting mood, or place it near the end of the program as a crowd pleasing finale that sends the audience home in good spirits. It pairs naturally with other classic holiday repertoire and works equally well as a standalone piece or as part of a broader thematic concert.
Skills your students will build
- Legato bowing across phrase boundaries
- Balancing melody and accompaniment textures
- Conducting and executing smooth tempo transitions
- Sustaining tone quality in sustained harmonic passages
- Responding to dynamic shaping and expressive direction