Shoulda Been a North Pole Elf: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher, music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0001857
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Here's a sassy swing chart with a silly sense of humor that sounds like it came from Broadway! This irresistible showstopper reads like a résumé of special North Pole talents. Not only am I good at making toys and wrapping gifts, "but I'd probably look good in tights." A hoot! This title is available in Music Prodigy.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001857
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Fisher
Brian Fisher grew up in Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor's degree in quantitative business analysis from Penn State University. After working as an auditor, he pursued his passion for music and theater, earning his teaching credential from the State University of New York. Since then, he has worn many hats in music education—teacher, director, and performer—building a career around the intersection of music and dramatic storytelling.
Fisher currently teaches middle school in North Carolina, where he continues to engage young musicians with creative, theatrical arrangements that bring joy to the choir room. His background in both business and the arts gives him a distinctive perspective on what makes music education work in practice.
Why we love this
Fisher captures the comedic energy of a Broadway comedy number while keeping the vocal writing accessible for young singers. The humor lands because the melody is catchy and the lyrics are genuinely funny—"I'd probably look good in tights" gets reliable laughs every time. This is the kind of novelty piece that audiences actually enjoy and singers remember long after the concert ends.
What to expect
Imagine a job interview at the North Pole conducted by someone with total confidence and zero embarrassment. The swing rhythm bounces with energy, the melody is immediately memorable, and the lyrics are deliberately ridiculous in the best way. This is theater music first, which makes it irresistible to perform and watch.
Who it's for
Middle and high school choirs who want a crowd-pleasing holiday number with genuine comedic appeal. This works especially well for groups that enjoy musical theater and aren't afraid to ham it up. If your singers can commit to a character and your audience appreciates clever humor, this piece delivers.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the sass and showbiz attitude. The swing rhythm only works when singers commit to the character, not when they sing it straight. Talk about delivery as much as you discuss pitch.
- Nail the rhythmic precision in the swing feel. Young singers often rush the and-of-the-beat figures, so isolate those eighth-note patterns and lock them in before adding text.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove and let singers hear how the swing feel should land. Once they're confident, the piece shines even more with live piano.
- Plan staging and movement choices early. The humor multiplies when singers use the space and their bodies to amplify the sassy tone of the lyrics.
How to use it
Close a holiday concert with this piece—it sends audiences out smiling. You could also program it as a palate cleanser between more serious seasonal music, or use it as a finale that gives singers permission to have fun after working on heavier arrangements. The 2-part voicing means even newer singers can participate in something genuinely entertaining.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythm interpretation and maintaining groove
- Character-driven vocal performance and comedic timing
- Diction clarity at a faster tempo with humorous text
- Ensemble blend and precision in syncopated figures
- Confidence in novelty repertoire and theatrical expression