Last Christmas (arr. Jetse Bremer): SSAAATB Choral Octavo

Jetse Bremer's arrangement captures the irresistible momentum of the original while tailoring it for mixed voices in a way that feels natural, not forced. Your singers will actually want to learn this piece; the melody sits well, the harmonies support without overwhelming, and the arrangement respects what makes the song memorable without overcomplicating it. Programming a contemporary pop standard alongside your holiday classics creates programming contrast that audiences genuinely respond to.

Warm, nostalgic, and propulsive all at once. The arrangement maintains the original's earnest sentiment without veering into schmaltz, delivering a version that feels fresh rather than obligatory. There's a lightness here that invites the audience in rather than asking them to endure a holiday standard.

Choirs looking to program something contemporary that appeals to singers and audiences alike, especially those building a holiday concert with genre diversity. This works for intermediate to advanced ensembles; the voicing is straightforward, but execution requires solid blend and rhythmic awareness.

• Keep the groove locked and consistent throughout; this piece lives in its rhythmic pocket, and any wavering undermines the arrangement's effectiveness
• Balance the upper voices on the main melody so it cuts through clearly without the lower voices receding into accompaniment mode
• Let the synth bass line inspire your rhythmic precision in the lower voices; thinking horizontally about those lines rather than vertically helps the arrangement breathe
• Lean into the playful quality of the text without making it silly; the charm comes from the slight melodic twist on 'Last Christmas' that Bremer keeps front and center

Slot this into the second half of your holiday concert as a palate cleanser between your traditional carols and any other contemporary fare. Alternatively, use it as a final encore to leave the audience smiling; its familiarity and contemporary feel make it a perfect closer that sends people out remembering the joy rather than the solemnity.

• Maintaining groove and rhythmic precision in pop idioms
• Balancing melody and harmony in contemporary voicings
• Blending upper and lower voices at different dynamic levels
• Phrasing with style without losing musical clarity
• Singing modern repertoire with intention rather than irony