Nothing Rhymes with Christmas: SSA Choral Octavo

Charming and clever, with the conversational ease of cabaret jazz. The piece bounces along with infectious good humor, building to a surprisingly warm resolution that shifts from the novelty setup into genuine sentiment.

Directors seeking a secular holiday piece that gives SSA choirs a chance to perform with wit and contemporary style. This works well for high school and community choirs looking to add humor and jazz elements to holiday concerts without relying on traditional carol arrangements.

• Build the comedic timing by treating the failed rhyme attempts like spoken interjections. Let singers commit fully to each 'grins and chuckles' moment so the humor lands rather than rushes.
• The jazz style requires a relaxed, conversational feel. Avoid tight harmonic locking; instead, encourage singers to listen across the parts and respond to the lyrical narrative.
• Shape the final phrase 'only you' with genuine warmth after all the playful back-and-forth. The emotional payoff depends on contrast with what came before.

Pair this with one or two traditional or straightforward holiday pieces to create programming that feels fresh and contemporary. It's ideal for the second half of a holiday concert, where audiences have relaxed and are ready for something lighter and more playful.

• Singing jazz articulation and phrasing within choral writing
• Balancing comedic delivery with musical integrity
• Listening across SSA parts with flexible harmonic blend
• Shaping lyrical narrative and emotional arc in a novelty context