Mistletoe and Holly Cover Image

Mistletoe and Holly: SAB Choral Octavo

$2.10 USD
Sale price  $2.10 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Mistletoe and Holly Cover Image

Mistletoe and Holly: SAB Choral Octavo

Words and music by Frank Sinatra, Dok Stanford, and Henry Sanicola / arr. Mark Hayes

Item: 00-47004

makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$2.10
Shipped

One moment…

Description
A holiday pops tune straight out of the Rat Pack era, co-written by Ol' Blue Eyes himself! This nostalgic mid-tempo swing arrangement starts with voices swapping the melody, then blossoms into sweet choral sonorities. "Oh, by gosh, by golly," consider using the SoundTrax CD or SoundPax parts to take full advantage of Mark Hayes's snazzy, jazzy arrangement.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mistletoe and Holly: SAB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081536538
SKU: 00-47004

More about this title

About the Composer: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) was an American singer and actor whose influence on popular music remains unmatched. Beyond his legendary vocal career, Sinatra co-wrote several standards that have become fixtures in jazz and pop repertoire, including this holiday classic. His contributions to songwriting demonstrate the same sophisticated sensibility and ear for melody that defined his interpretations as a performer.

For choral directors, Sinatra's work offers a direct line to the American songbook that students recognize and audiences love. Programming his compositions connects students to a foundational figure in 20th-century music while building their understanding of song form, swing style, and the marriage of lyric and melody that define great popular music.

Why we love this

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the warmth and elegance of the original without overwhelming a three-part choir. The back-and-forth between sections on the melody creates natural interest and keeps SAB voices engaged throughout, while the jazzy harmonies add sophistication without demanding advanced sight-reading. Audiences respond immediately to the tune's familiarity, but the swing-era charm makes this feel special rather than generic.

What to expect

Picture a mid-century lounge lit by warm light: smooth, nostalgic, and genuinely joyful without a shred of cynicism. The tune settles into a comfortable swing groove with voices trading the melody like old friends passing conversation. Hayes's arrangement feels both intimate and celebratory, the kind of number that makes an audience smile the moment they recognize it.

Who it's for

Any director looking to program a holiday piece that appeals to singers and audiences alike. This works equally well for a pop concert, a holiday pops show, or as part of a mixed winter program where you need something with personality and vintage charm.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the rhythm section with a gentle swing feel rather than straight eighth notes. The groove matters more than mechanical precision.
  • Balance the melody exchanges between sections carefully so each voice part knows exactly when to anchor harmony versus carry the tune. Mark the entrances clearly in rehearsal.
  • Let the middle section bloom with that sweet choral sound Hayes writes; resist the urge to overpower it. The contrast with the rhythmic opening pays off.
  • Consider the SoundTrax accompaniment to establish the authentic Sinatra-era swing pocket before your choir adds voices.

How to use it

Open a holiday pops concert with this to set a sophisticated, fun tone. It pairs beautifully with other swing-era standards and sits comfortably alongside contemporary holiday pop arrangements. The piece also works as a charming encore that sends audiences out in a great mood.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing swing rhythm with authentic phrasing and feel
  • Swapping melody and harmony lines between voice sections
  • Blend and balance in jazz-influenced harmonic writing
  • Recognizing and interpreting the SAB voicing in contemporary arrangements

You May Also Like