Just for Two (Christmas) (stand alone version): 2 F Horns Book

Marlatt has arranged ten beloved carols in a way that respects the melodies while keeping the writing accessible for players at this level. The duet format gives young hornists genuine musical responsibility without the complexity of larger ensemble parts, and the variety of styles across the collection means you can program single pieces or perform the whole set depending on your concert needs.

These arrangements capture the warmth and simplicity of familiar Christmas melodies without oversimplifying them. The writing has enough musical substance to feel satisfying for both players and listeners, with moments of genuine harmonic interest that honor the sacred and festive character of each piece.

This collection works well for high school or advanced middle school horn students who are ready to perform as a duet in public settings. It's equally useful for community bands with limited horn sections, church musicians, or hornists preparing material for holiday gigs at schools, churches, or civic events.

• Balance the two horn parts by ear rather than by volume alone; the piece works best when both voices blend as a unified sound rather than competing for attention.
• Observe the character suggestions implied by each carol's text. "Silent Night" calls for legato warmth, while "Pat-a-Pan" benefits from a more dance-like rhythmic lift.
• If performing outdoors at a community gig, rehearse with extra attention to intonation, as temperature changes and environmental acoustics will shift pitch more than in a rehearsal room.
• Take time to balance the accompaniment (if using one) so the horns remain the clear focal point; these arrangements are built to showcase the duet, not to disappear into a large ensemble.

Program this as a holiday concert highlight, either as a single featured duet or as a medley of shorter pieces. The collection also works well for church services, community performances, or informal classroom presentations where two capable hornists can shine without requiring a full accompaniment or ensemble support.

• Duet balance and blend between equal parts
• Sustaining legato lines while maintaining phrase shape
• Reading multiple carol harmonies and styles within a single collection
• Performing with confidence in front of an audience
• Adapting tone and articulation to match the character of each piece