Swingin' Bell Carol: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Mykola Leontovych / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007638
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Description
The inspiration of this setting comes from Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych's original 1914 work for mixed choir, which demonstrates both his sacred and nationalistic style. The four-note ostinato is known by several different titles and performed in a wide variety of styles including classical, metal, country, rock, and pop, and, with this jazz setting, the original takes on yet another new flavor. (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Swingin' Bell Carol: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
132
SKU:
00-PK-0007638
More about this title
About the Creator: Mykola Leontovych
Mykola Leontovych (1877, 1921) was a Ukrainian composer whose choral works captured the spirit of his nation during a transformative period in Eastern European history. His 1914 composition, centered on a four-note ostinato, became one of the most recognizable melodies in choral literature, performed across genres from classical to contemporary popular music.
Why we love this
This arrangement transforms a deeply resonant Ukrainian sacred melody into a swinging, accessible holiday moment that respects the original while offering your band something genuinely fun to perform. Grade 2 bands get to explore jazz phrasing and swing style without drowning in technical demands, and audiences hear a familiar carol through a completely fresh lens.
What to expect
Warm and playful. The jazz treatment gives the sacred melody a lightness and forward momentum without losing the dignity of its origins. You get swinging brass hits, a steady groove underneath, and that instantly recognizable four-note figure working as both anchor and invitation.
Who it's for
Concert bands in the Grade 2 range looking for a holiday selection with personality and style. This works equally well for young ensembles building jazz vocabulary and for established groups seeking a program piece that avoids treacly holiday clichés.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the groove in the rhythm section early. The four-note ostinato is the heartbeat of the whole piece; lock it in during sectional rehearsals before adding the melody voices.
- Shape the swing articulation consistently across all sections. Listen to the recorded accompaniment (if available) to hear how the triplet feel should breathe; it's easy to rush when the energy is high.
- Let the countermelodies and inner voices breathe. This arrangement has texture beyond the main tune; make sure middle parts aren't buried under the soprano line.
How to use it
Program this as a mid-set warmth boost in a holiday concert, or use it to close out a winter pops show on a bright, energetic note. It sits perfectly between classical holiday fare and full-on funk, giving your audience a musical wink while keeping the spirit of the season intact.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and jazz phrasing
- Ostinato-driven ensemble cohesion
- Balance between melody and inner harmonic voices
- Triplet-based rhythmic precision