Maybe This Christmas (arr. Dom Stichbury): TTB Choral Octavo

Dom Stichbury's arrangement captures the wistful, contemplative heart of Sexsmith's original while crafting something genuinely singable for mixed voices at the octavo level. The three-voice texture creates space for blend and clarity without sacrificing the song's intimate character, making it accessible for choirs that want a modern pop piece with real artistic substance.

Introspective and gently yearning, this arrangement has the quality of a private moment overheard rather than a proclamation. The three-part voicing creates a reflective intimacy, with harmonies that shift subtly beneath a conversational melody that feels more like storytelling than singing.

Choirs seeking modern, songwriting-focused repertoire that appeals to audiences without condescending to singers will find this arrangement ideal. It works equally well for community choirs, show choirs, and academic programs looking to refresh their holiday programming with something less traditional than standard Christmas fare.

• Balance the melodic line carefully across voices; this arrangement thrives when the harmonic support stays understated and the tune remains the focal point.
• Pay attention to the text setting and phrasing as Stichbury has written it. The natural speech rhythm of pop requires different breathing and pacing than traditional choral repertoire.
• Lean into the minor tonality and introspective mood by keeping dynamics relatively restrained until the arrangement opens up; resist the urge to oversell early sections.
• Rehearse the arrangement with the recorded accompaniment from the start so singers understand where their voices sit within the full texture.

Position this during the quieter second half of a holiday concert to provide contrast with more jubilant selections. Its modest length and modest vocal demands make it especially useful for programming alongside heavier ensemble work or as a bridge between different sections of a program.

• Maintaining melodic focus while singing in a three-part texture
• Interpreting contemporary pop phrasing within a choral setting
• Blending modern harmonic progressions typical of singer-songwriter material
• Singing with restraint and subtlety rather than projection