Jolly Rockin' Nicholas: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Benjamin R. Hanby / arr. Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-DB1641
$40.00
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Description
This rock treatment of an old holiday favorite is sure to bring a smile to your audience at the next winter concert. Featuring a driving beat, power chords, and a familiar Christmas tune where everyone gets to play the melody, this arrangement is certain to be a big hit!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH MOS Performance
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1641
More about this title
About the Composer: Benjamin R. Hanby
Benjamin R. Hanby (1833-1867) composed "Darling Nelly Gray" and other popular songs during the American Civil War era, establishing himself as a significant voice in 19th-century popular music. Though his life was cut short by illness, his melodies endured and continue to appear in arrangements for school and community ensembles.
Hanby's gift for writing straightforward, memorable tunes made his work accessible to amateur musicians and audiences alike. His compositions reflect the democratic spirit of American music education, where simple melodies can be performed and enjoyed by musicians of varying skill levels.
Why we love this
Robert Sheldon's arrangement captures the spirit of a modern holiday pops concert without requiring virtuosic technique. The Grade 1.5 difficulty means your ensemble can deliver a genuine crowd-pleaser in December without sacrificing musicianship or spending weeks in rehearsal on a single piece.
What to expect
A festive, modern take on a beloved tune with an infectious rock pulse underneath. The piece radiates good humor and delivers genuine fun for both performers and listeners without ever feeling condescending or overly simplified.
Who it's for
Directors who want a confident, feel-good holiday selection for concert band ensembles at the developing band level. This works equally well for school bands and community groups looking for accessible repertoire that doesn't require advanced players.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock in the rhythm section first. The driving beat is the backbone of this arrangement; get your percussion, bass line, and accompaniment voices locked together before layering in the melody.
- Balance the melody voices so the familiar tune stays audible even when full sections play it. This piece works best when the audience recognizes the melody immediately.
- Lean into the rock idiom. Think groove and energy rather than classical phrasing; commit to the power chords and let the arrangement's contemporary style come through.
- Let the energy build from section to section. Sheldon's scoring gives natural opportunities for crescendos and textural growth; resist the urge to play everything at the same volume throughout.
How to use it
Schedule this as the closer or penultimate selection in your winter concert to send audiences home in a celebratory mood. It pairs well with more formal holiday arrangements earlier in the program and gives your musicians a moment to showcase their ability to handle contemporary styles.
Skills your students will build
- Groove-based rhythmic accuracy in a rock idiom
- Dynamic control across sustained chords and harmonic textures
- Melodic independence when multiple sections carry the tune simultaneously
- Style interpretation of contemporary popular music in a concert band setting