Sleigh Ride: Cymbals
Sleigh Ride: Cymbals Sheet Music Preview

Sleigh Ride: Cymbals

By Leroy Anderson / arr. Mike Story

Grade: 2 (Easy)

Item: 00-PC-0018358_CYM
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Description
"Sleigh Ride" for marching band---what a great idea! Mike Story has expertly crafted this holiday favorite into an arrangement any band can play. You can always count on charts in the Big and Easy series to make your band sound twice its size! (1:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Sleigh Ride: Cymbals comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Big and Easy
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 120
SKU: 00-PC-0018358_CYM

More about this title

About the Composer: Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was an American composer and conductor whose gift for accessible, tuneful orchestration shaped American popular music for decades. His works, rooted in the concert band and light orchestral traditions, remain staples of school and community ensemble repertoires because they combine sophisticated harmonic writing with instantly memorable melodies.

Why we love this

Anderson's melodies are instantly recognizable and deeply satisfying to perform, and Story's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while keeping the technical demands manageable for Grade 2 players. The Big and Easy series does exactly what it promises: this chart will sound polished and full even with a modest instrumentation, giving your band the confidence boost that comes from sounding bigger than it is.

What to expect

Joyful and spirited, with that unmistakable Anderson sparkle. The arrangement captures the imagery of sleigh bells and winter motion with bright, clean orchestration that feels both festive and genuinely charming rather than cloying.

Who it's for

Marching bands at the Grade 2 level looking to add holiday polish to their indoor or outdoor programs without sacrificing musicality for accessibility. This works beautifully for bands building confidence and wanting to include a recognizable crowd-pleaser that also sounds genuinely musical.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the rhythmic drive steady and bright. The sleigh bell effects and bustling energy depend on precision in the percussion and a unified pulse from the battery.
  • Balance the melody against the accompaniment. Because this arrangement is scored for accessibility, clarity of line becomes even more important; make sure soloists project over the harmonic foundation without sacrificing blend.
  • Shape the phrasing with slight rubato in the lyrical sections, especially if there are tempo variations marked. Anderson's style invites musical breathing that lets the tuneful passages breathe.

How to use it

Schedule this for holiday concerts, winter pops programs, or outdoor holiday events where audience recognition adds to the appeal. It pairs well with other Anderson titles or with classical holiday arrangements, and at 1:30, it fits neatly into any concert flow.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining steady pulse in a rhythmically active arrangement
  • Balancing solo lines against harmonic accompaniment
  • Responding to conductor cues for tempo and phrasing in a melody-driven work
  • Articulation clarity in bright, tuneful passages

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