Merry Christmas (arr. Ryan O'Connell): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Ryan O'Connell's arrangement honors Mathis's signature warm approach while making the song genuinely singable for developing ensembles. The 2-part voicing opens this holiday classic to mixed choirs without sacrificing musicality, and the seven pages give singers enough substance to build a legitimate performance without overwhelming rehearsal schedules.

Warm, contemplative, and gently sophisticated. The arrangement wraps a familiar song in thoughtful harmonies that feel timeless rather than trendy, inviting singers to connect with genuine emotion rather than manufactured holiday cheer.

Any choir working with young singers or building toward more complex holiday programming. This works especially well for middle school, community, and beginning high school ensembles seeking accessible repertoire that maintains artistic credibility.

• Shape the phrases with legit breath points rather than treating them as rhythmically static; this style demands attention to line and forward motion.
• Balance the part-writing so neither voice dominates; if you have more sopranos than altos, reinforce alto sections during full rehearsals.
• Record yourself singing the accompaniment and listen to how the harmonic progression sits; this arrangement's beauty lives in its harmonic language.

Position this as a closer on a holiday concert where it can breathe without rushing into the next selection. Its reflective quality makes it particularly effective following more energetic pieces, giving audiences a moment of genuine warmth before they leave.

• Legit phrasing and breath management within a lyrical ballad style
• Harmonic independence in 2-part writing
• Tone production that balances blend with individual vocal character
• Reading and interpreting musical expression markings for stylistically accurate performance