Must Be Santa: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Gallina writes novelty material with genuine charm rather than cheap laughs. This arrangement maintains accessibility for developing singers while delivering the kind of infectious humor that keeps holiday concerts from feeling obligatory. A well-executed performance of this piece sends audiences home smiling.

Playful and spirited, with the kind of melodic catchiness that stays with your singers long after rehearsal ends. The arrangement invites vocal playfulness without demanding virtuosity.

Middle school and high school choirs looking for a crowd-pleasing holiday selection that doesn't require extensive range or complex part writing. This works equally well for concert choirs wanting a laugh and community groups seeking approachable repertoire.

• Commit fully to the character and comedic timing. Rushing through the humor dampens the payoff; let the audience catch each joke.
• Balance energy with clarity in the ensemble unison passages. Bouncy doesn't mean sloppy.
• Encourage singers to think about dynamics and phrasing even in lighter material. Detail separates a fun moment from a memorable one.

Place this in the second half of your holiday concert, after establishing your ensemble's serious side. It works as an excellent palate cleanser before returning to traditional seasonal material, or as your closer if you want the concert to end on a lighter note.

• Maintaining ensemble cohesion in rhythmically syncopated material
• Executing text with comedic precision and ensemble awareness
• Blending two-part harmony while preserving independent line identity
• Managing tempo consistency in character-driven arrangements