Sing We Now Of Christmas (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement respects the carol's inherent charm while giving SSA choirs real musical substance to sink their teeth into. The six-page score balances accessibility with genuine harmonic interest, making it equally satisfying for skilled ensembles and developing groups looking for repertoire that doesn't condescend.

The arrangement evokes the quiet joy of candlelit caroling, intimate rather than grand. Harmonies warm and deepen the melody without overwhelming it, creating moments of unexpected beauty in a piece that might seem simple at first glance.

SSA choirs at the intermediate level and above will find this a natural fit for holiday programming. It works equally well for secular concert settings and community performances, requiring no special vocal demands while delivering a polished, recognizable result.

• Anchor the opening unison melody with confident, forward-moving diction; the carol's power lives in clarity and directness rather than oversinging.
• Shape the harmony entries as natural extensions of the main line rather than competing voices; this keeps the piece unified and prevents a cluttered texture.
• Consider the piece's liturgical roots but perform it with joy rather than reverence; the text celebrates joy, so your tone should reflect that festive energy.
• Balance any divisi sections by having singers listen inward to blend their harmonic part with adjacent voices before worrying about blend across the choir.

Position this early in a holiday concert to establish an accessible, welcoming tone before moving into more demanding repertoire. Its six pages fit neatly into a mixed concert program, or it can anchor an all-choral holiday set alongside more contemporary selections.

• Singing in unison and blended harmony within SSA texture
• Balancing folk melody with supporting harmonic parts
• Maintaining clear, efficient diction in legato singing
• Responding to harmonic movement while preserving melodic integrity