Oh Hanukkah: 1st Percussion
Traditional / arr. Robert W. Smith
Grade: 0.5 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0015598_PC1
$3.00
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Description
Here is a welcome addition to the holiday literature ensuring an effortless performance. The arranger has prepared this traditional simple melody in a bold contemporary format that will be certain to complete your earliest holiday program. (1:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Oh Hanukkah: 1st Percussion comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Very Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
126
SKU:
00-PC-0015598_PC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith stands among the most recorded and performed concert band composers working today, with more than 400 published works spanning original compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations. He holds degrees in music education from Troy State University and a master's degree from the University of Miami, and his works have been performed across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. His symphonic works, including The Divine Comedy and The Odyssey, have become repertoire staples, while his scores for developing ensembles like The Tempest anchor countless festival programs and concert calendars.
Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has appeared in major television broadcasts, Olympic ceremonies, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performances at iconic venues from Dodger Stadium to the Ringling Brothers Circus. As a clinician and conductor, he has worked extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Europe, making him a familiar voice in the band world and a trusted resource for directors seeking music that balances accessibility with musical substance.
Why we love this
Smith's treatment of this beloved Hanukkah tune strips away complexity without sacrificing musical character, making it an intelligent choice for programs that need holiday spirit without overextending young musicians. The contemporary scoring adds fresh energy to a melody most students will recognize, turning familiarity into an asset rather than a limitation. This is the kind of graceful, unpretentious arrangement that reminds directors why they program pops concerts in the first place.
What to expect
Bright and celebratory without demanding virtuosity, this arrangement honors the melody's folk-tune roots while wrapping it in contemporary harmonies that feel fresh rather than fussy. The straightforward presentation lets the familiarity of the tune itself do the emotional work, creating a performance that feels confident and assured even from very young players.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands and very young players (Grade 0.5) looking for accessible holiday repertoire that requires minimal technical preparation. Bands building a winter concert program will find this energizing opener or closer carries genuine musical weight despite its simplicity. Community bands, school holiday events, and any ensemble seeking a traditional tune that sounds contemporary will find immediate utility here.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line so it sings above the accompaniment, even as dynamic levels shift; younger players tend to play everything at the same relative intensity.
- Mark a clear tempo in advance and maintain it steadily through the piece; at this length and level, any ritardando should be deliberate and conducted explicitly.
- Draw attention to any key transitions or harmonic shifts in rehearsal so students hear the contemporary elements Smith introduces alongside the traditional tune.
- Use the straightforward structure as an opportunity to focus on phrasing and tone quality rather than technical hurdles; this piece rewards musicality over mechanics.
How to use it
Open a winter concert with this piece to set an uplifting tone while keeping rehearsal demands light enough to leave bandwidth for more technically challenging material. Position it after a longer work to give players a confidence boost before intermission or use it as a closing gesture that sends audiences home with a recognizable, warmly performed melody. Its brevity (1:30) makes it ideal for holiday assemblies, community events, or recordings where a short, polished piece creates strong impact.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing a clearly structured melodic line
- Maintaining steady tempo through a complete performance
- Balancing melody and accompaniment in an ensemble setting
- Responding to dynamic changes and basic expressive shaping