Santa Is the Man: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) Choral Octavo
Music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz
Item: 00-PO-0004131
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
This "rockin' Santa" number features handclaps and foot stomps set to a rock beat. It's a quick-learn piece, and when you add the driving SoundTrax CD (complete with rock guitar and horn section) you've got an instant holiday hit. The melodies and the piano accompaniment are easy, and there's even a partner melody: "I've been good, so good, so good." Staging suggestions are included in the publication and on Sally's "In the Spotlight!" Video, #19803. A Christmas winner for 2-part groups.
Santa Is the Man: 2-Part (with Opt. Staging) Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004131
More about this title
About the Composer: Lois Brownsey
Lois Brownsey studied at Temple University in Philadelphia and trained at the Guitar Workshop, developing deep roots in both classical and contemporary music. Her decades-long collaboration with Marti Lunn Lantz has produced numerous choral works and song collections for Alfred, with a particular strength in seasonal and multicultural repertoire. Beyond choral writing, Brownsey has lent her songwriting talents to commercial jingles for major brands and spent over two decades performing in pop, rock, and blues ensembles across the United States and internationally.
Now based in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, Brownsey continues her creative work while co-running Red Rock recording Studios with her husband, a recording engineer. The studio has become a production hub for many Alfred choral projects, allowing her to bridge the gap between composition and professional recording. Her involvement in both the creative and technical sides of music production brings a performer's sensibility to every piece she writes.
Why we love this
This piece delivers genuine entertainment value without sacrificing musicality. The rock energy and built-in physical engagement (handclaps, foot stomps) transform a simple 2-part arrangement into an all-in performance moment that students actually want to sing, while the optional staging keeps the fun alive without requiring elaborate production.
What to expect
A burst of contemporary holiday joy wrapped in a rock beat. The steady handclaps and foot stomps give it a street-party vibe, while the melodies stay simple enough that singers can focus on energy and attitude rather than technical difficulty. It feels modern, not traditional, and that's the whole point.
Who it's for
Directors working with developing 2-part choirs who want a showstopper holiday number that doesn't demand extensive vocal range or complex harmonic thinking. This piece suits singers in grades 3-7 and adult community choirs looking for accessible, high-energy repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the groove by locking the handclaps and foot stomps as a unified section first, before layering in the vocal parts. This creates the foundation for the rock feel.
- Pair the piece with the SoundTrax CD accompaniment to unlock the full effect; the rock guitar and horn section transforms the energy in ways the piano alone cannot deliver.
- Keep the partner melody "I've been good, so good, so good" distinct from the main line without losing the sense of unified excitement. Balance projection between parts.
- Use the staging suggestions in the score as a starting point, then adapt them to your performance space and your singers' comfort level with movement.
How to use it
Slot this into the second half of a holiday concert when you want to shift the mood toward fun and audience participation. Its quick-learn nature and infectious groove make it ideal for December programs where rehearsal time is compressed. The piece also works well as a novelty opener to establish a lighter, more playful concert tone.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with rhythmic precision in a steady rock beat
- Maintaining a melodic line while executing rhythmic ostinatos (handclaps and stomps)
- Balancing two independent vocal lines with contrasting text
- Coordinating ensemble movement (clapping and stomping) with vocal performance
- Interpreting style through attitude and projection rather than complex vocal technique