Sending You a Little Christmas: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the warmth and accessibility that makes Jim Brickman's songwriting so effective in choral settings, turning a contemporary piano composition into something that sits naturally for mixed voices. The piece builds genuine emotional resonance without requiring overly complex harmonies or demanding vocal ranges, making it equally suitable for a December concert finale or a community holiday celebration. The recorded accompaniment lets singers focus on connecting with the text and melody rather than fighting to stay together.

Warm and reflective, with the gentle optimism of a song genuinely concerned with connection during the holidays. The piece carries Jim Brickman's signature piano-driven aesthetic into the choral realm, creating a space where sentiment feels earned rather than imposed.

This arrangement works for mixed choirs of intermediate ability who want to program contemporary holiday music with genuine emotional appeal. Directors seeking a festive secular option that doesn't rely on heavy orchestration or complex voice-leading will find this a practical addition to December programming.

• Let the recorded accompaniment establish the tempo and harmonic foundation, but encourage singers to breathe naturally with the music rather than mechanically following every note of the track.
• Shape the dynamics gently throughout, avoiding sudden jumps in volume that undercut the song's intimate character; think of dynamic changes as gradual and organic rather than dramatic.
• Pay attention to vowel consistency across the choir, especially in sustained passages, since a lighter contemporary style often benefits from unified tone color that feels almost operatic in its precision.
• Balance the recorded accompaniment level during rehearsal so singers can hear themselves clearly; this helps develop independence while still anchoring to the harmonic support.

Position this as a moment of intimate contrast within a holiday concert, particularly effective following a more energetic or complex piece. Its contemporary sensibility also bridges well between traditional carols and fully modern selections, helping audiences transition between different musical eras.

• Singing with contemporary pop phrasing while maintaining choral blend
• Tracking independent vocal lines over a recorded accompaniment without losing rhythmic ensemble
• Balancing vulnerability and projection in lyric-driven music
• Responding to gentle dynamic shaping that serves emotional content rather than technical display