Let There Be Christmas (Consort): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Joseph M. Martin
Item: 35-PK00478667
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Description
Instantly appealing, this luscious ballad wraps the listener in the arms of holiday hopefulness. The melody carries warm, familiar images of hope, peace, love and joy. Filled with sweeping sound, the piano is supportive, but the optional orchestrations turn the piece into a soundtrack for Yuletide concert moments or sacred Christmas pageants. Score and Parts for Full Orchestra (fl 1-2, ob, cl 1-2, bn, hn 1-2, tpt 1-3, tbn 1-2, tba, timp, perc 1-2, hp, pno, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) and for Consort (fl, cl, tpt 1-2, tbn, bells, perc, kybd) both available as digital downloads.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00478667
More about this title
About the Composer: Joseph M. Martin
Joseph M. Martin studied piano performance at Furman University and went on to earn his master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he later taught in the Piano Pedagogy Department for five years. His performance credits span solo recitals across the United States and Mexico, including a featured appearance with the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra following his win in the Nina Plant Wideman Competition. His work has been performed at Carnegie Hall, regional theaters, and countless churches throughout North America.
Martin has shifted his focus from the concert stage toward sacred music and church music conferences, channeling his compositional gifts into works that serve worship and celebration. His catalog reflects an impressive range, from intimate hymn settings to sweeping orchestral arrangements that consistently surprise audiences with their craft and emotional reach.
Why we love this
Martin's gift for melody shines here; the tune sits naturally in the voice and carries the emotional weight of the text without demanding vocal gymnastics. What sets this apart is the orchestration flexibility, giving you genuine options for your specific ensemble and venue, whether you're working with a full orchestra, a lean consort, or just piano support.
What to expect
Lush and affirming, this ballad wraps the ear in harmonic richness while keeping the melody at the forefront. The text's focus on hope, peace, love, and joy translates into music that feels both reverent and celebratory, creating the kind of moment where an audience settles in and truly listens.
Who it's for
Directors planning a holiday or Advent concert who need a centerpiece that works for both choral and instrumental ensembles. The multiple orchestration options make this viable whether you have a full orchestra, a small consort, or prefer to keep it simple with piano.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choir's warmth against the orchestral color by rehearsing the instrumental parts first, then layering in the voices so singers can hear exactly where they sit in the texture.
- If using the consort arrangement, let the harp (if available) anchor the harmonic foundation; it allows winds and brass to shape phrases more expressively without fighting for harmonic clarity.
- Shape the piece with long, connected phrases rather than stopping at every phrase mark. The 'sweeping sound' Martin composed depends on vocal line continuity and orchestral momentum flowing together.
How to use it
Place this as a solo feature late in your concert to signal the emotional arc turning toward the closing. It works equally well as a processional moment in a sacred pageant or as a quiet reflection piece before a final celebratory carol, giving you flexibility to respond to your program's pacing needs.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long vocal lines over sustained orchestral accompaniment
- Listening to and balancing with wind and brass colors in ensemble
- Interpreting text through dynamic shaping and phrase arcing
- Reading and coordinating with multiple instrumental parts (full orchestra or consort)