Nuttin' for Christmas: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Carl Strommen's arrangement respects the song's goofy charm while keeping the vocal writing accessible for younger choirs. The 2-part voicing and moderate difficulty level mean your singers can actually perform it with confidence rather than struggle through oversimplified material. A song built on humor and mischief deserves an arrangement that lets those qualities shine, and this one delivers.

This is pure holiday mischief set to music. The character pleading his case with charm and exaggeration creates an energy that's lighthearted and playful, with just enough musical sophistication to keep adult listeners engaged. Your singers will find the story irresistible, and that natural engagement lifts the whole performance.

This arrangement works for middle school choirs, elementary upper-grades ensembles, and holiday programs where you need something that connects with young singers and audiences alike. The 2-part writing makes it approachable for developing singers who can still deliver a polished, entertaining performance.

• Lean into the comedic timing. The story moves briskly, so keep the phrasing buoyant and let the rhythmic drive carry the narrative forward.
• Balance clarity of diction with musicality. Your audience needs to hear every word of the joke, but articulation should feel natural, not clipped.
• Experiment with dynamics to highlight the tension between what the kid did and the punishment he's avoiding. Softer moments create contrast and keep interest alive over eight pages.

Program this early in your winter concert to set a playful tone and warm up your audience. It pairs well with more traditional carols later in the program, giving you a chance to showcase both the humor and the heart of holiday repertoire. Consider using it as a finale or near-closer if you want to send your audience out smiling.

• storytelling through song and character awareness
• rhythmic clarity in pop-style arrangements
• balance between comedic delivery and musical shape
• 2-part independence and blend
• diction and articulation at conversational tempo