Santa's Rockin' Holiday Mix: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Roszell strips away the reverent tone usually associated with holiday charts and delivers something genuinely fun for young bands. The percussion flexibility (drum set or multiple players) means you're not limited by your ensemble's setup, and the audience participation element transforms a concert moment into a shared celebration that gets people on their feet.

A holiday party that's been given a rock edge. The arrangement layers Jolly Old Saint Nicholas and Deck the Halls into something contemporary and playful, complete with hand claps and celebratory sound effects that lift the energy beyond traditional carols. It's spirited without being silly.

Young concert bands at the Grade 1.5 level looking for holiday repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicality for fun. Directors who want to program something their students will enjoy learning and audiences will genuinely react to.

• Secure the rhythmic foundation in your rehearsals by isolating the clapping sections first; have the ensemble practice the clap pattern independently before layering it with the band parts to ensure precision and confidence.
• Encourage your percussionists to commit fully to the party sounds section. These effects are what give the piece its personality, so clarity and timing matter as much as they do in any other musical phrase.
• If involving the audience in the clapping, do a quick demonstration before the performance or include a clear visual cue from the podium to signal when they should join in.

Program this as a closer or finale for a December concert when you want to send the audience out smiling. It works especially well on mixed programs where you've performed more traditional or serious selections; the tonal shift signals a celebration and gives both students and listeners permission to relax and enjoy.

• Reading and executing rhythmic precision in a contemporary pop style
• Ensemble balance in a chart with multiple melodic layers
• Part independence and confidence when not carrying the main line
• Rhythmic coordination between pitched and unpitched percussion
• Responding to visual cueing and conducting in an uptempo, energetic setting