Santa's on His Way Medley: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Gilpin packs genuine musical energy into this medley by anchoring three beloved Christmas standards to a solid 60s rock foundation rather than relying on nostalgic arrangements. The inclusion of a speech choir and rap section gives your singers a chance to feel contemporary and engaged, especially younger singers who might otherwise tune out holiday repertoire. The three available voicings mean you can program this across multiple choirs or scale it to fit your ensemble's specific range and maturity level.

The piece radiates celebratory momentum. A driving 60s rock beat propels you through three familiar melodies without ever feeling tired, while the speech/rap section injects modern attitude and humor that keeps the whole thing feeling alive and fun rather than reverent or sentimental.

This arrangement works for holiday concerts with choirs spanning elementary through adult levels, since three different voicings provide accessibility across age ranges. Ensembles looking for contemporary energy in their Christmas programming will find this medley refreshing and engaging for both singers and audiences.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by having the ensemble tap or snap the rock beat pattern before learning any vocal lines. A strong rhythmic foundation makes the speech/rap section land with confidence.
• Balance the medley sections carefully so that the transitions between "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," and "Up on the Housetop" feel like a seamless story rather than three separate songs.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in full rehearsals to lock the ensemble into the groove and energy level your singers will experience in performance.
• Give the speech choir section clear dynamic intention. It should pop and land with personality, not drift into monotone recitation.

Open your second half with this medley to shift the energy in the room and bridge between traditional holiday music and contemporary pop arrangements. It also lands well as the final number in a concert aimed at younger audiences or families, where its rock groove and playful rap section generate genuine enthusiasm.

• Singing in a contemporary rock style with a strong rhythmic pulse
• Transitioning smoothly between familiar melodies at varied tempos
• Delivering speech choir and rap sections with clarity, confidence, and personality
• Ensemble blend and balance while maintaining individual style in contrasting sections