Rockin' Holidays!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement channels authentic doo-wop and rock and roll energy without losing the melodic charm of Marks' original tunes. The medley format lets you program substantial entertainment value in under three minutes, making it ideal for concert finales or mixed-repertoire holiday shows where timing matters.

Pure joy and movement. The arrangement captures the infectious optimism of 1950s and 1960s popular music, with the kind of rhythmic drive and sonic clarity that makes audiences smile immediately. Three beloved melodies strung together create musical narrative without sacrificing accessibility.

This arrangement works for middle school through adult choirs looking for high-energy holiday material with broad appeal. Directors of pop, jazz, and contemporary choral ensembles will find the style familiar and the execution straightforward; it's equally valuable for traditional choirs seeking to expand beyond classical holiday repertoire.

• Lock in the swing feel early in rehearsals. The rhythmic vitality of this arrangement depends on singers committing to the crisp articulation and rhythmic precision that defines mid-century rock and pop.
• Balance the two-part writing carefully so neither line dominates. Billingsley's voicing creates textural interest through interplay, not by layering one part over a subordinate line.
• Engage with the optional instrumental accompaniment if available. The SoundTrax CD and SoundPax parts recreate the period instrumentation and groove that give this arrangement its authentic character.

Close a holiday concert with this medley to send audiences out happy. Its compact length and crowd-pleasing energy also make it valuable as a concert opener, or as the finale of a mixed-repertoire show pairing classical and contemporary holiday music.

• Authentic swing and rock and roll rhythmic articulation
• Two-part voicing independence and blend
• Period-appropriate phrasing and style interpretation
• Coordination with recorded accompaniment and optional instrumental parts