Santa Meets the Big Bands: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Ployhar's big-band treatment rescues these holiday standards from the usual march tempo and predictable voicings. The 'doo-wah' trumpet writing and authentic jazz idioms give your band genuine style points without requiring advanced technique, making this a refreshing break from saccharine holiday fare that still lands as genuinely entertaining.

Mellow and swinging rather than sleigh-bell bright. The arrangement trades Christmas card imagery for a smoky nightclub feel, with trumpet voices that float above the ensemble like a vocalist trading lines with a horn section. It's playful without being precious.

Concert bands at the Grade 2.5 level looking for holiday programming with personality. This works equally well for groups wanting to feature strong trumpet players or for directors who need accessible material that sounds more sophisticated than its difficulty suggests.

• Balance the trumpet section's syncopated figures against the rest of the band; they're the feature here, but clarity matters more than volume.
• Let the rhythm section sit comfortably in the pocket rather than rushing the swing feel. The relaxed groove is what sells the big-band vibe.
• Bring out the counter-melodies in the lower reeds and low brass; they're what keeps the arrangement moving harmonically.

Pair this with a traditional carols or march to show your audience different musical angles on the same season. The shorter runtime (2:15) makes it ideal as a palate-cleanser in a longer holiday concert or as the opening statement if you want to signal that this year's concert has jazz sensibilities.

• Interpreting swing rhythms and jazz articulation on classical instruments
• Balancing a featured section while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic patterns in the upper voices
• Accompanying technique for non-lead players in a jazz-influenced texture