Las Navidades (Christmastime): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Tippette brings the ear of a film composer to this holiday octavo, crafting something that sounds singularly composed rather than arranged. The piece respects the ease of 2-part writing while delivering sophisticated harmonic movement that keeps adult choirs engaged and gives younger singers genuine musical substance to work with.

Warm and reflective, with enough harmonic color to feel contemporary without losing the sense of familiar tradition that defines the holiday season. Tippette's text setting is clear and natural, allowing singers to inhabit the words rather than fighting the music.

Middle school through adult choirs seeking repertoire that avoids the overdone holiday canon without sacrificing accessibility. The two-part writing opens the piece to developing singers while the compositional craft rewards accomplished ensembles.

• Balance the parts dynamically so the top line doesn't overshadow the lower voice; this is especially important in passages where the parts move in parallel motion.
• Approach the text painting as a director would in a film score: let the story of the season shape the emotional arc across all eleven pages rather than treating sections as isolated blocks.
• Mark your rehearsals to highlight where Tippette introduces harmonic shifts that might catch singers off guard; singers unfamiliar with the score will anchor themselves to predictable cadences, so point out the composer's alterations early.

Slot this into a December concert where you want to honor the season without leaning entirely on carols and standards. At eleven pages, it anchors a mixed repertoire program nicely, giving you space alongside lighter fare or a cappella pieces.

• Part independence in 2-part writing without harmonic accompaniment
• Response to harmonic movement beyond I-IV-V progressions
• Text expressivity in contemporary choral writing
• Blend and balance across divisi passages