Just for Two (Christmas): 2 F Horns Part(s)

Marlatt's arrangements balance musical substance with genuine playability. Rather than strip these carols down, he gives each horn its own melodic voice, creating the kind of two-part writing that lets both players feel like they're contributing something meaningful rather than simply accompanying.

These arrangements capture the warmth and dignity of Christmas carols without overwrought harmony or unnecessary embellishment. The writing sits naturally for F horn, allowing the inherent lyrical quality of the instrument to shine through on these beloved melodies.

Horn players at the intermediate level who want to experience ensemble playing beyond standard method book duets. This collection works for school concert programs, church services, or any situation where skilled amateurs need repertoire that's both recognizable and musically satisfying.

• Balance the melody between the two parts by listening carefully in rehearsal. These carols work best when neither horn dominates, creating a blended sound rather than a solo-plus-accompaniment texture.
• Take advantage of the familiar melodies to focus on tone quality and phrasing. Since your students already know these tunes, they can direct their attention to shaping phrases and matching dynamics across the two parts.
• Adjust the tempo to suit your performance space. A church sanctuary will carry sound differently than a school gym, and these pieces are flexible enough to breathe at various speeds.
• Consider the instrumentation flexibility of this series. If you're programming multiple duets from this collection, mixing and matching instruments creates variety for listeners while building ensemble confidence in your students.

Build a holiday concert around these duets by pairing them with other small ensemble pieces or featuring different combinations from the collection back-to-back. They also work beautifully for pre-concert performances at community events, where the familiarity of the tunes draws listeners in while the arrangement quality rewards careful listening.

• Maintaining melodic independence while blending within a two-part texture
• Shaping longer phrases with awareness of the other horn's line
• Balancing intonation across parallel motion and harmonic intervals
• Reading and performing at medium difficulty without conductor dependency