The Christmas Gig Book, Volume 2: Score

Marlatt respects the integrity of these beloved carols while giving each one room to breathe as a brass piece. The medium difficulty level means you're not choosing between artistry and accessibility; these arrangements deliver both, and the stylistic variety across ten pieces keeps the set from feeling one-note during rehearsals.

These arrangements capture the warmth and dignity of the carols themselves. Some moments sit in bright, celebratory territory ('Ding Dong Merrily on High'); others settle into reflective spaces where the harmony deepens ('Still, Still, Still'). Throughout, there's a sense of musicians gathering to share music rather than perform at an audience.

Brass quintets at any level from strong elementary school ensembles through professionals will find something to sink their teeth into here. Directors looking for holiday repertoire that feels polished but isn't overly complex will appreciate the musical substance Marlatt brings to familiar material.

• Balance the melodic voices in pieces like 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' by listening for which part should sit forward in any given phrase; this isn't always the trumpet.
• Treat the rhythmic sections ('Ding Dong Merrily on High') as opportunities to lock articulation across the ensemble; clean tonguing lifts the character rather than muddying it.
• Lean into the slower carols ('Still, Still, Still') by giving yourself permission to breathe where phrase shapes suggest it, even if rests don't explicitly mark every spot.
• Use dynamic contrast to reveal harmonic movement in the quieter moments; subtle shifts in volume can make the voice-leading sing.

This collection works beautifully as a complete standalone holiday concert program, or you can pull individual pieces for shorter seasonal appearances. The moderate length (roughly 30 minutes total) fits naturally into a larger winter concert if you're pairing it with other ensembles or genres.

• Balancing multiple melodic voices simultaneously within a five-part texture
• Sustaining long lines with consistent air support and vibrato control
• Responding to harmonic context to adjust intonation in close voicings
• Articulation control across differing tempos and stylistic moods
• Ensemble blend and listening across the range of the quintet