Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Words by Haven Gillespie, music by J. Fred Coots / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0000880
$56.00
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Description
Michael Story has arranged this holiday classic for your beginners. You'd better watch out for this great new arrangement on a bunch of winter programs! Great traditional holiday music for your program
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Pop Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
130
SKU:
00-PK-0000880
More about this title
About the Composer: J. Fred Coots
J. Fred Coots (1897-1985) was an American composer and songwriter who became one of the most prolific writers of popular songs in the early-to-mid 20th century. Working primarily in Tin Pan Alley, he crafted melodies that became standards, collaborating with lyricists including Haven Gillespie on some of his most enduring hits. His gift for writing accessible, singable tunes with strong harmonic foundations made his work a natural fit for music educators seeking repertoire that resonates with students and audiences alike.
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (1934) stands as one of Coots' most recognized compositions. The piece combines a memorable melody with straightforward harmonic progressions, making it ideal for beginning musicians while maintaining genuine musical charm. Its popularity in holiday programming across decades reflects both its compositional strength and its appeal to young performers seeking to contribute meaningfully to seasonal performances.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while respecting where your beginners actually are musically. Michael Story has stripped away unnecessary complexity without sacrificing the tune's character, so your students play something recognizable and joyful without drowning in technical demands. For programs built around developing ensemble blend and confidence, this delivers immediate gratification.
What to expect
Bright, cheerful, and playful. The melody bounces with anticipation and delight, capturing the holiday spirit without sentimentality. Your students will recognize the tune immediately, which builds their confidence and reminds them why they wanted to play music in the first place.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands with limited rehearsal time who want reliable holiday programming. This Grade 1 arrangement works for school bands just starting their first year of study, as well as community bands and home-school ensembles looking for approachable winter repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody across your woodwinds. Even at this level, letting the tune sing through rather than having it buried in harmony makes the piece land with audiences and keeps your players engaged.
- Lock in consistent articulation across the section playing the main line. Beginners benefit enormously from having this modeled and rehearsed as a group before worrying about dynamic shape.
- Keep the tempo steady and energetic. This piece thrives on forward motion; a dragging tempo flattens its charm and makes entrances harder for inexperienced players to track.
- Pay attention to your bass line. Even simple bass lines anchor the harmonic movement; if tubas and baritones play with intent, the whole band sounds more mature.
How to use it
Program this on your winter concert as an opener or closer. Its familiarity to audiences gives your beginning players an emotional win, and it pairs well alongside more serious or classical selections, providing contrast and accessibility. The straightforward one-part arrangement works equally well for pep rallies, holiday assemblies, or casual performances.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady quarter-note and eighth-note rhythms in a simple duple meter
- Playing sustained notes with consistent tone quality
- Following conductor direction for dynamics and phrasing
- Coordinating ensemble entrances and cutoffs across multiple parts
- Reading basic concert band notation and instrumentation