The First Noel / Pachelbel's Canon: Score: Choral SoundPax
Arr. Michael Clawson
Item: 00-PR-0000476
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Description
Includes parts for flute, flute/oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet/bassoon, opt. 2 trumpet, opt. 2 trombone, 2 percussion, opt. acoustic guitar, string quartet.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The First Noel / Pachelbel's Canon: Score: Choral SoundPax 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:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
52
SKU:
00-PR-0000476
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Arranger: Michael Clawson
Michael Clawson is a composer and arranger whose work spans choral music, band arrangements, and educational scores. His arrangements for choral ensembles are known for their accessibility paired with musical substance, making them reliable choices for directors who want scoring flexibility without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Why we love this
This arrangement pairs two beloved melodies in a single piece, giving you a sophisticated reharmonization that feels fresh while honoring both songs' identities. The flexible instrumentation (optional trumpets, trombones, and acoustic guitar) means you can perform this with whatever ensemble resources you have on hand, from a stripped-down choral setting to a full band/orchestra complement.
What to expect
A graceful weaving of two carols across a rich harmonic tapestry. The arrangement honors the reverence of both melodies while the Pachelbel progression underneath creates an almost meditative quality, building warmth rather than excitement.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a substantial Christmas choral piece that accommodates variable instrumentation across school, church, and community ensembles. Singers who enjoy the medley format and the chance to perform with instrumental colleagues in a setting that accommodates partial participation.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the flute/oboe solos against the choir so the instrumental lines remain audible without overpowering the voices; the recorded accompaniment will guide this balance.
- Shape the harmonic transitions between the two pieces with slight tempo breathing to make the key moment feel intentional rather than abrupt.
- If using optional trumpet and trombone parts, have them enter at the second statement of the melody to gradually build texture across the arrangement.
- Tune the string quartet carefully in the sustained harmonic passages; the Pachelbel canon progression exposes intonation issues quickly.
How to use it
Open a Christmas concert with this piece to establish a serene, inclusive tone, or place it mid-program as a moment of choral rest alongside instrumental color. The flexibility in orchestration makes it work equally well in a full-scale holiday concert or an intimate choral ensemble event.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained tones over walking harmonic progressions without losing pitch center
- Listening to and blending with optional instrumental parts (strings, woodwinds, brass) in real time
- Following an accompaniment track while maintaining independent vocal line integrity
- Performing two distinct melodic phrases with different harmonic contexts in a single piece