O Come, O Come! It's Christmas!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Carrie Lane Gruselle
Grade: 1
Item: 98-DST6272
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Description
Punctuate your holiday program with this delightful medley that ingeniously combines O Come, Little Children, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and O Come, All Ye Faithful. An excellent vehicle to teach dotted quarter note counting, this work also allows everyone to play a few long tones on octave harmonics. Simply delightful!
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Beginning Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6272
More about this title
About the Arranger: Carrie Lane Gruselle
Carrie Lane Gruselle earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and her Master of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where she focused on Suzuki pedagogy. She teaches elementary and middle school strings in the Appleton Area School District and serves as cello instructor at the Lawrence University Arts Academy in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Why we love this
Gruselle has crafted an arrangement that respects the Grade 1 ensemble's capabilities while delivering genuine holiday warmth. The medley structure gives you natural momentum and variety without asking young players to stretch beyond their technical reach, and the inclusion of octave harmonics and dotted quarter note patterns makes this feel like a teaching moment disguised as a festive performance piece.
What to expect
Bright and celebratory, with the familiarity of beloved carols woven into something fresh. The arc moves between reflective moments (long tones, harmonics) and more buoyant passages, creating a piece that feels both joyful and purposeful rather than merely cheerful.
Who it's for
Young string orchestras ready to tackle dotted rhythms and looking for repertoire that teaches while it entertains. This is ideal for ensembles building confidence with rhythmic accuracy and seeking substantial holiday literature that doesn't oversimplify the musical content.
How to get the most out of it
- Work the dotted quarter note rhythms slowly in isolation first. Once the counting is secure, bring the tempo up gradually to match the holiday spirit without sacrificing clarity.
- Approach the octave harmonics as a technical goal worth celebrating. Have each section practice the harmonic placement separately before combining, then highlight this moment as a point of pride in performance.
- Shape the long tones with subtle dynamic contour. Even at Grade 1, drawing a slight swell into the release gives these moments presence without demanding advanced bow control.
- Balance the three melodies across your sections so each tune reads clearly. The medley works best when listeners can follow the thread from one carol to the next.
How to use it
This medley slots beautifully into a holiday concert as an opener or closer, providing a festive anchor without requiring extensive rehearsal time. It also works well as a mid-program palate cleanser, offering audiences familiar melodies while your ensemble demonstrates their growing technical command.
Skills your students will build
- Dotted quarter note counting and execution
- Octave harmonic intonation and placement
- Long tone control with dynamic shape
- Melodic independence within a medley texture
- Sight-reading multiple familiar carol melodies