Santa's Classical Christmas: 1st Percussion
Arr. Mark Williams
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0001917_PC1
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Description
Another hit arrangement from Mark Williams. This arrangement skillfully combines classical and holiday themes in a very humorous and yet logical way. William's flexible scoring format allows any combination of winds to play with the strings, but the string parts can also be performed alone. The parts are very playable in first position (G & D major) with optional advanced fingerings provided. A nice encore to his Santa at the Symphony from last year, it is sure to please students and audiences alike.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Santa's Classical Christmas: 1st Percussion 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:
Highland/Etling Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
98
SKU:
00-PC-0001917_PC1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Williams
Mark Williams built his reputation writing music that works in real rehearsal rooms. A prolific composer for school bands and orchestras with over 200 published works, he co-authored the Accent on Achievement Band Method and maintained an active schedule as guest conductor and clinician across 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia. His roots in elementary music education, developed through years teaching in Washington state, shaped his understanding of what students could actually play and what audiences wanted to hear.
Williams' training included a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Education from Eastern Washington University, and he performed professionally as a bassoon player and arranger with the 560th Air Force Band. His compositions earned recognition including the Gralia Competition award from the Western International Band Clinic and multiple ASCAP Special Awards. Beyond the page, he served as Conductor and Artistic Director for the Spokane British Brass Band, bringing the same clarity and musicality to live performance that defined his writing.
Why we love this
Williams has a gift for pairing complex musical ideas with straightforward orchestration. This arrangement proves again why directors trust his work: he writes novelty music that never feels cheap, blending classical references with holiday charm in ways that make students grin while they're concentrating on their parts. The flexible instrumentation means you can program this whether you're working with a full orchestra or rebuilding your string section mid-year.
What to expect
Playful and sophisticated at once. Classical passages emerge in unexpected places, creating moments of recognition and delight, while the holiday framework gives everything a warm, celebratory glow. There's real orchestral color here, not just arrangement by numbers, and the writing invites students to take ownership of the music rather than simply execute it.
Who it's for
Orchestra directors programming a winter concert who want something that lands with both students and audiences without sacrificing musicality. The Grade 3 level makes it accessible to developing orchestras while the arrangement's intelligence keeps mature ensembles engaged. This works equally well as a feature piece or an expertly-crafted encore.
How to get the most out of it
- Highlight the moment classical themes enter by bringing out the principal voice while maintaining steady accompaniment texture. Williams' arrangements reward clear section leadership.
- The humor lands best when rhythmic clarity stays tight across strings and winds alike. Rehearse the tutti sections at performance tempo early to build confidence in the ensemble's unified attacks.
- Use the optional advanced fingerings selectively. Students who gravitate toward them will drive the passage forward; those comfortable in first position should stay there without feeling limited.
- Balance is key when combining winds with strings. In the flexible sections, strings establish the harmonic foundation while winds add color. Test different doublings in rehearsal to find what sits well in your space.
How to use it
Schedule this as your winter concert centerpiece or closing number where its lightness provides contrast to more serious repertoire. It also works beautifully as a mid-rehearsal morale boost during the grind of December preparation. If your orchestra performed Santa at the Symphony last season, this sequel offers familiar territory with fresh material and audiences will appreciate the callback.
Skills your students will build
- Playing in G major and D major with secure intonation in first position
- Reading flexible instrumentation and adapting parts based on available players
- Balancing solo and tutti roles within a transparent orchestration
- Executing rhythmic precision in novelty writing where clarity drives the humor