Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Andy Beck's arrangement strips away nothing of the original's infectious energy while building it specifically for developing choirs. The included choreography transforms this from a fun song into a full performance moment, and the SoundTrax CD gives your singers a rock-solid recorded foundation to lock into.

A holiday classic with its restraint removed, transformed into a driving rock arrangement that feels fresh while remaining completely recognizable. The rhythmic momentum builds naturally, and the piece radiates joy without demanding technical maturity.

Developing choirs who are ready for contemporary arranging but still benefit from a familiar song structure and strong recorded accompaniment. This works equally well in high school, middle school, and community choir settings where students need confidence boosters and audiences want instant recognition.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by having your singers listen to the recorded accompaniment multiple times before attempting to sing along. Let the rhythm section feel sink in first.
• Keep the energy consistent throughout; this arrangement's smartness lies in its rhythmic drive, not dramatic dynamics. Resist the urge to push tempo or over-shape phrases.
• Work the choreography in small sections alongside the music, never assuming physical movement and singing will sync automatically. Give students time to internalize each element separately.
• Pay attention to rhythmic precision in unison passages, especially the opening. A tight, confident unison sets the tone for everything that follows.

This is ideal for an early-December concert slot when you want energy and audience engagement without complexity. Pair it with a slower, more traditional carol for contrast, or use it as a concert opener to set an upbeat tone for the rest of your program.

• Singing with rhythmic precision over a rock groove
• Coordinating choreography with vocal line
• Blend and balance in contemporary harmonic textures
• Following a recorded accompaniment track with confidence