Silver Bells: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Ray Evans / By Jay Livingston / Arranged by Kevin Robison
Item: 35-PK00135322
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Description
The brilliance and beauty of a winter cityscape is perfectly portrayed in this showpiece setting of the holiday classic! An excellent choice for community choirs and orchestras! Duration: ca. 4:40.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00135322
More about this title
About the Composer: Ray Evans
Ray Evans was a prolific songwriter and composer whose work defined the sound of mid-century American popular music and film. Collaborating frequently with Jay Livingston, Evans crafted melodies that combined accessibility with genuine sophistication, earning Academy Award nominations and creating standards that have endured for decades. His gift for writing memorable, singable material makes his compositions perennial favorites in educational and community music settings.
Why we love this
Kevin Robison's orchestration captures the luminous quality that makes this song so beloved while giving community ensembles a fully realized, Broadway-adjacent sound. The arrangement respects the melody's inherent elegance without overwhelming it, creating a piece that feels both polished and genuinely playable. This works as either a centerpiece concert moment or a sophisticated alternative to the standard holiday fare.
What to expect
Crystalline and warm at once, with the quality of looking out at a snow-lit city street from somewhere safe and comfortable. The orchestration creates a sense of gentle movement and reflection, evoking twinkling lights and quiet beauty rather than bustling holiday energy.
Who it's for
Community choirs and orchestras seeking a holiday program centerpiece that feels substantial without veering into classical or overly theatrical territory. This arrangement bridges the gap between popular holiday songs and concert music, making it ideal for ensembles that want to program something their audiences instantly connect with while showcasing their musicians' capabilities.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic line prominently in the early sections so the familiar tune cuts through the accompaniment; community audiences recognize this song immediately, and they want to hear it clearly.
- Shape the harmonic movement underneath with forward momentum; the arrangement has enough textural sophistication that static playing will flatten the shimmering quality Evans and Livingston built into the original.
- Sustain the lyrical phrasing across phrase boundaries rather than resetting at obvious structural points; this reinforces the gentle, flowing nature of a winter evening.
- Take time with the cadential moments to let the orchestration breathe; resist the urge to rush the resolution.
How to use it
Slot this into the second half of a holiday concert to shift mood from rollicking seasonal numbers into something more contemplative and cinematic. It also serves beautifully as a closing encore that leaves audiences reflective rather than exhausted from multiple upbeat selections.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer phrases in a choral setting
- Balancing choral melody against orchestral accompaniment
- Responding to harmonic movement in ensemble playing
- Performing with stylistic consistency in popular song orchestrations