Song One / Instrumental Introduction (from The Ten Minute Nativity): Lead Sheet / Fake Book

This lead sheet gives you the melodic and harmonic framework for an introduction that actually sets a scene rather than just padding time. The single-page format means students can get to fluency quickly, leaving rehearsal time for ensemble work and character development rather than note-learning.

An opening that creates anticipation. The instrumental introduction establishes both the musical world of the piece and a tone of gentle reverence, giving young performers a clear emotional entry point before singing begins.

Music directors staging The Ten Minute Nativity who need a clean, performance-ready introduction. Works equally well for pianists accompanying choir or band, or for classroom settings where a keyboard player supports young instrumentalists.

• Establish the tempo and harmonic rhythm during your opening rehearsals so students hear the accompaniment as a living thing, not background noise.
• Layer the introduction by having melody players enter after keyboards establish the harmonic foundation; this creates lift and prevents a static opening.
• Consider whether your student keyboard player needs the full chord voicings or if a simplified comping approach serves the ensemble better acoustically.

Use this to open your Nativity performance or as a standalone instrumental moment that lets your musicians shine before vocal demands take over. It works especially well when you have a capable keyboardist who benefits from a featured moment.

• Reading lead sheet notation and chord symbols
• Interpreting harmonic changes to inform phrasing and dynamics
• Ensemble listening and responding to accompaniment cues
• Sustaining a musical line through a multi-phrase introduction