Light the Christmas Tree!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Country-rock at the elementary level rarely lands this naturally. The choreography almost happens on its own when students encounter "shake it to the left, shake it to the right," and the accompanying ChoreoTrax video removes any guesswork. Souders writes with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what fourth and fifth graders find hilarious and exciting, making this a piece that gets genuine energy rather than forced enthusiasm.

Imagine the energy of a school gym decorated for the holidays, with the kind of infectious excitement that comes from decorating together. The music sparkles with tinsel and jingle bells, bouncing along with the straightforward joy of the season, never winking at the audience or apologizing for its enthusiasm. It feels like a holiday party where everyone actually wants to be there.

Elementary choirs and mixed ensembles in the upper grades will find this accessible and immediately engaging. Directors seeking a secular holiday piece that doesn't rely on traditional caroling or reverent arrangements will recognize the freshness here. Family and school audiences expecting the usual Christmas fare will find themselves delighted by something genuinely fun.

• Lean into the rhythmic drive of the chorus. The boot-scootin' feel only works if the ensemble stays locked in behind the beat; use the recorded accompaniment to establish that groove early in rehearsal.
• Give the verses space to breathe. The anticipation in verse one and the playful bragging in verse two depend on clear diction and phrasing, not rushing through the text.
• Encourage physical commitment from day one. Whether your group uses the free ChoreoTrax video or creates its own movement, even simple swaying transforms this from a standing choir moment into a memorable performance.

This works beautifully as a standalone holiday concert opener, setting a celebratory tone before moving into more contemplative pieces. It also pairs naturally with other contemporary secular Christmas selections for a program that balances tradition with modern sensibility. Consider programming it early in the year when rehearsal time is generous and you want a morale boost.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated, groove-based writing
• Clear diction and phrasing while maintaining energy and forward motion
• Coordinating singing with choreography or movement
• Understanding contemporary choral arranging in popular music styles