(Still A) Cool Yule (Choral Medley): SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the lush harmonic sensibility of the original while making it genuinely singable for a four-part choir. The medley format gives your singers something to sink their teeth into without requiring either an unwieldy runtime or overstuffed voicings that bury the text.

Smooth, sophisticated, and warmly celebratory. The medley weaves together moments of intimate close harmony with fuller, more expansive sections that let the ensemble shine. It captures the contemporary pop sensibility of the source material while maintaining the textural clarity that defines strong choral writing.

This arrangement serves choirs wanting a contemporary holiday piece that doesn't rely on traditional carols or overly sentimental approaches. It works equally well for winter concerts, secular holiday celebrations, or programs seeking modern arrangements alongside classical selections.

• Spend rehearsal time on the blend in the upper voices during the sustained harmonies; these passages define the arrangement's character and demand locked vowels.
• The tempo shifts between sections need confident conducting to maintain forward momentum without sounding rushed. Establish clear visual signals for transitions.
• Layer in the rhythm section gradually during rehearsals so singers internalize the groove before adding accompaniment complexity.

Position this as a standalone feature number on a winter concert, or pair it with a more traditional holiday piece to create programming contrast. The 16-page length and modern idiom make it ideal for audiences seeking connection between classical choral traditions and contemporary music.

• Navigating close harmonies with precise intonation
• Sustaining supported, relaxed tone across phrase lengths
• Responding to stylistic demands of pop-influenced arranging
• Executing smooth voice leading across chord changes
• Balancing blend and forward vowel placement in contemporary idioms