Jingle Bell Gallop: 2nd Percussion
Jingle Bell Gallop: 2nd Percussion Sheet Music Preview

Jingle Bell Gallop: 2nd Percussion

By James Pierpont / arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-PC-0015795_PC2
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Description
"Jingle Bells" like you've never heard it before. A fast and furious gallop-style rendition will usher you and all of Santa's elves into the holiday season with gusto. A driving holiday treat that'll bring joy and jingles "All the way!" (2:30) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Jingle Bell Gallop: 2nd Percussion 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: Belwin Young Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 246
SKU: 00-PC-0015795_PC2

More about this title

About the Composer: James Pierpont

James Pierpont (1822–1893) composed one of America's most enduring holiday melodies. Though trained as a composer and pianist, Pierpont is remembered almost entirely for a single work: "Jingle Bells," which he wrote in 1857 as "One Horse Open Sleigh." The song's infectious melody and straightforward charm have made it a staple of winter music for generations, adapted countless times across genres and ensembles.

Pierpont's contribution to music education lies in creating a melody so memorable and accessible that it invites endless reimagining. Directors and arrangers continue to find fresh approaches to his simple theme, proving that strong melodic writing endures and inspires creativity.

Why we love this

Wagner's gallop treatment injects real energy into a melody students know by heart, which means they can focus on ensemble precision and stylistic execution rather than learning unfamiliar material. The Grade 2 setting keeps the technical demands manageable while the driving arrangement still feels exciting and substantial enough to anchor a holiday concert. A piece this recognizable also guarantees engaged audiences and confident young musicians.

What to expect

This is holiday music as a runaway sleigh ride: exuberant, fleet-footed, and impossible to resist. The gallop rhythm drives forward with infectious momentum, transforming a familiar tune into something playful and performative rather than sentimental or slow.

Who it's for

Young concert bands at the elementary through early middle school level will find an accessible yet spirited option that delivers fun without overwhelming section leaders. Directors building a holiday concert can program this knowing students will execute it confidently while audiences enjoy recognizable material presented with fresh style and vigor.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the tempo steady and precise. The gallop figure only works when the ensemble locks together rhythmically; use a click track or metronome in rehearsals to establish unwavering pulse before removing it.
  • Balance the tune across the band rather than letting the melody section carry all the weight. Distribute thematic material to create textural clarity within the fast-moving arrangement.
  • Shape phrases even within the brisk tempo. Holiday novelty pieces still benefit from dynamic contour and breathing room; avoid a relentless wall of sound despite the energy.

How to use it

Open a holiday concert with this piece to set an energetic tone and capture attention immediately. Its approachable level and crowd-pleasing melody also make it a natural fit for community holiday events, school assemblies, or any December concert where you want to balance familiar fare with a distinctive arrangement that signals fresh musicianship.

Skills your students will build

  • Steady tempo maintenance in fast, continuous rhythmic figures
  • Melodic phrasing within a rapid tempo
  • Balancing multiple simultaneous melodic lines in a compact arrangement
  • Stylistic awareness of gallop character and articulation

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