Making Christmas (from The Nightmare Before Christmas) (arr. Mark Brymer): Choral Instrumental Pak

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the manic energy and quirky charm that made Pentatonix's version resonate so widely, giving your ensemble access to contemporary pop arranging that actually works for mixed groups. The blend of vocal percussion, tight harmonies, and theatrical flair makes this Halloween-to-Christmas crossover ideal for groups seeking to program something students and audiences genuinely want to hear.

Quirky, high-energy, and surprisingly sophisticated beneath its surface playfulness. The arrangement weaves dissonance and unexpected harmonic turns through an infectious groove, creating something that feels both Halloween-spooky and December-festive without trying to be either.

Groups seeking a contemporary pop arrangement with real harmonic substance and enough vocal percussion and production value to feel current. This works for high school and college ensembles comfortable with rhythmic independence and groups looking to bridge the gap between traditional repertoire and music students actually connect with.

• Lock the vocal percussion layer first; it drives the entire groove and gives all singers a rhythmic anchor that feels natural rather than metronomic.
• Lean into the character and story of the arrangement rather than overpolishing every entrance. This song thrives when singers commit to the spooky-yet-festive mood Brymer has crafted.
• Balance the solo passages against the full ensemble sections so the featured voices cut through without sacrificing blend when the group comes together.
• Layer your rehearsals by learning the foundational parts before adding the rhythmic complexity and articulation details that give this arrangement its signature sound.

Consider pairing this with other contemporary pop arrangements to create a mixed-genre set that appeals to modern audiences, or schedule it as a standalone showstopper in your winter concert finale. The theatrical nature also makes it a natural choice for holiday variety shows or pops concerts where you want to demonstrate your ensemble's rhythmic sophistication alongside their vocal blend.

• rhythmic independence and vocal percussion integration
• articulation control across different dynamic levels and text delivery
• harmonic precision with chromatic and unexpected chord changes
• character-driven singing with theatrical commitment
• blend and balance in ensemble sections with multiple moving parts