Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree: SSA Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while sitting comfortably for developing SSA/SSAA voices. Gallina's approach respects the song's iconic status while adding just enough contemporary color to keep your singers engaged and the audience smiling.

Joyful and driving, with the swagger of classic rock married to holiday warmth. The arrangement invites singers to play with rhythmic precision and attitude while maintaining the accessibility that makes this song universally recognizable.

SSA and SSAA choirs looking for a high-energy holiday selection that appeals to singers and audiences alike. This works especially well for groups performing multiple holiday concerts or programs where you want a modern take on a beloved classic.

• Keep the rock feel grounded in a steady eighth note pulse rather than pushing the tempo; let the rhythm section lock into a comfortable groove from the first rehearsal.
• Balance the melody line so it sings out without drowning the supporting voices, especially if you're performing with a recorded accompaniment.
• Shape the harmonic transitions by emphasizing breath points naturally; this keeps the arrangement from feeling mechanical and maintains vocal freshness across the 11 pages.
• Encourage your singers to feel the genre shift from the opening through any key moments in the piece; familiarity with the original recording can help them grasp the style quickly.

Place this near the end of your holiday concert setlist as an audience favorite that sends people home in a celebratory mood. It pairs nicely with both traditional carols and contemporary holiday selections, offering a stylistic bridge between worlds.

• Rhythmic precision in a rock idiom (steady eighth notes, syncopation)
• Balancing melody and harmony within an ensemble texture
• Phrasing across longer musical lines while maintaining stylistic energy
• Singing with confidence in a genre outside classical choral tradition