Santa's on His Way Medley: SATB Choral Octavo

Gilpin's gift here is transforming three recognizable Christmas songs into a single cohesive package without losing what makes each one singable and fun. The 60s rock groove lifts the arrangement out of typical holiday territory, while the speech choir section gives singers a chance to own the text in a fresh way. It's the kind of arrangement that lands equally well with middle school choirs discovering their sound and experienced groups looking for holiday energy.

A holiday party that happens to be a concert. The medley spins through childhood memories of Christmas songs, but the 60s rock treatment and speech choir section keep things contemporary and playful. There's joy here, not reverence, and a sense that the singers themselves are having as much fun as the audience.

Any choir looking for holiday programming that avoids the predictable. This works for middle school through adult choirs; the SATB voicing sits comfortably for experienced singers, while the familiar melodies and clear arrangement make it accessible for less advanced ensembles.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the speech choir/rap section in rehearsal before layering in the sung voices. Lock the ensemble on those rhythms so the blend feels tight rather than scattered.
• Let the 60s beat breathe in the rhythm section. A crisp, clean pulse in the bass and drums (via the recorded accompaniment) will carry the harmonic movement without needing the choir to push harder.
• Treat each song medley segment as its own character study during rehearsal. Shift dynamics, tone, and energy as you move from tune to tune so the piece feels intentional rather than strung together.
• Emphasize the text in the speech choir section. Clarity and conviction matter more than volume; the audience should hear every word.

Perfect as a standalone holiday concert closer or as the anchor of a secular Christmas set. Its length and energy make it ideal for opening the second half of a holiday concert, especially if you're pairing it with more traditional choral work earlier in the program. The recorded accompaniment option means you can program it even in venues where a live band isn't available.

• Sight-reading contemporary harmonic language and mixed meter shifts within a medley structure
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble lock in speech choir/rap sections alongside sung passages
• Stylistic contrast and dynamic control across three distinct melodies in a single arrangement
• Diction clarity and text communication in both singing and spoken text contexts