Jolly Alto Saxophones: Percussion 1
Arranged by Timothy Loest
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1228_PC1
$7.00
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Description
A large crate arrived at the Claus residence shortly after Christmas with a note attached: "Dear St. Nick, the kids in my school band have been worried about what you and your elves will do now that the holidays are over. So we took up a collection and bought you a bunch of alto saxophones..." Based on Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, this swingin' alto sax feature includes some novelty percussion sounds to exaggerate the work's humorous nature. Great writing with a fun storyline, perfect for a student to read aloud just before the performance!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1228_PC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Timothy Loest
Timothy Loest has shaped young band programs across the country through compositions that balance pedagogical clarity with genuine musicality. His works are performed regularly by student ensembles nationwide, and his impact extends beyond the concert hall into classrooms where his methods—including Measures of Success® and Warm-ups and Beyond—have become standards in instrumental music education. In 2017, his composition Cloud Gate (Reflections of a City) reached an audience of over 5,000 at Chicago's Millennium Park, and that same year he received the Illinois Grade School Music Association's Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for Excellence in Music Education.
Loest has partnered with major publishers including Warner Bros. Publications, C.L. Barnhouse Company, The FJH Music Company, and MakeMusic Publications since his first publication in 1995. His music has appeared on network television broadcasts including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and Nick Jr. He founded Fanfare Music Press in 2022 to produce high-quality band compositions and arrangements. A product of Illinois State University and Northwestern University, Loest spent his entire teaching career at F.E. Peacock Middle School in Illinois and remains active in commissions and music education advocacy.
Why we love this
The alto saxophone feature transforms a familiar carol into a vehicle for ensemble humor and student engagement. Loest's writing gives the saxophones genuine musicality while the novelty percussion effects and built-in narrative create a performance moment that energizes audiences and delights performers. At grade 1.5, the technical demands stay accessible, leaving mental space for students to embrace the playful character and storytelling.
What to expect
A warm, lighthearted romp built on a melody everyone recognizes. The sax feature swings with a gentle groove while novelty percussion effects punctuate the action, creating a performance that feels more like a musical joke than a formal arrangement.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the grade 1.5 level looking for holiday material with genuine entertainment value and minimal technical barrier to success. The piece works equally well for festivals, winter concerts, or community performances where audience engagement and student confidence matter as much as musical polish.
How to get the most out of it
- Assign a student narrator to read the opening story aloud before the piece begins. Rehearse the timing so the band enters cleanly after the final line.
- Balance the novelty percussion sounds at rehearsal to ensure they enhance rather than overshadow the sax melody. These effects work best when they feel spontaneous and slightly exaggerated.
- Lock the saxophone section's rhythmic precision early in rehearsal. Clean articulation on the swing feel makes the humor land more effectively.
- Use the conductor score to map out where humor peaks and where the ensemble should pull back for musical breathing. This creates dynamic contrast and keeps the narrative arc clear.
How to use it
Program this as a set closer or act finale during winter or holiday concerts to send audiences out smiling. It also works well as an opening number if you want to establish an upbeat, entertaining tone for the full program.
Skills your students will build
- Reading swing rhythms and jazz articulation
- Balancing featured soloists with supporting ensemble textures
- Precision ensemble rhythm in light triple meter
- Coordinate ensemble entries with spoken word narration