That's Christmas To Me (arr. Mark Brymer): SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures what makes Pentatonix's original so compelling: rhythmic precision, clever layering, and a propulsive energy that feels celebratory rather than saccharine. This isn't a traditional Christmas carol dressed up in modern clothing. It's a genuinely fun piece that gives students real rhythmic and blend challenges while keeping rehearsals energized during the heaviest season of the concert calendar.

Infectious and modern, with earworm hooks that stick with audiences long after the performance ends. The arrangement radiates genuine joy without sentimentality, driven by propulsive rhythms and the kind of vocal percussion colorwork that makes a cappella audiences perk up in recognition.

SATB choirs with solid blend and intonation skills, comfortable with rhythmically driven contemporary arrangements. Works equally well for high school choirs, college ensembles, and community groups seeking holiday repertoire that engages performers and audiences alike.

• Establish the groove first. The rhythm section (bass and percussion parts) anchors everything. Lock this in before worrying about melody or harmony tuning.
• Pay attention to the exact articulation markings. Brymer's arrangement relies on crisp attacks and sustained vowel shapes to create clarity in the texture. Sloppy articulation erases the arrangement's ingenuity.
• Recorded accompaniment (if available with your purchase) is a learning tool, not a crutch. Use it during early rehearsals to nail the harmonic foundation, then phase it out to build independence.
• Balance the parts horizontally, not vertically. Each voice line has melodic interest and rhythmic movement. Resist the urge to flatten voices into a homogeneous block.

Slot this into a holiday concert as an audience favorite that anchors the contemporary or closing section of your program. It pairs naturally with a cappella or rhythm-forward pieces and offers a refreshing alternative to traditional Christmas standards. The energetic character makes it an excellent choice for second-half programming when audience attention benefits from a boost.

• Rhythmic precision and independence in syncopated, non-traditional meters
• Blend and balance in contemporary harmonic contexts with layered vocal parts
• Vocal percussion techniques and integration with pitched voices
• Intonation stability in repetitive, bass-heavy harmonic sequences
• Stylistic flexibility across contemporary and traditional idioms