The Hope of Christmas: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Ann Hampton Callaway
Item: 35-PK00338010
$20.00
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Description
Jazz/cabaret artist Ann Hampton Callaway has written and recorded a Christmas song that is sure to be an instant classic! Expressing the hope that Christmas is a day "lasting longer than a season," this heartwarming song will fill you with holiday cheer to last all year through.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00338010
More about this title
About the Arranger: Ann Hampton Callaway
Ann Hampton Callaway is a jazz vocalist, composer, and arranger with deep roots in American musical theater and the Great American Songbook. Her career spans concert halls, Broadway stages, and recording studios, where she has developed a gift for crafting lyrics that resonate emotionally while maintaining sophisticated harmonic sensibility. In education settings, her arrangements are valued for their musicality and accessibility across a range of ensemble sizes and skill levels.
Why we love this
Callaway has created something genuinely moving here rather than seasonal decoration. The lyrical concept of Christmas as something that extends beyond December gives your singers meaningful emotional content to dig into, and her jazz and cabaret sensibilities bring a warmth and sophistication that feels fresh in holiday programming.
What to expect
Hopeful but never saccharine. The song carries genuine warmth, grounded in Callaway's jazz sensibility and her gift for conversational lyricism. It's the kind of piece that sounds like a favorite song you've known for years, even on first hearing.
Who it's for
Choirs looking for holiday repertoire that avoids cliché and offers singers something vocally and emotionally substantial. Works equally well in traditional concert settings and contemporary worship contexts. Solo singers and small ensembles will find the arrangements equally rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the rubato that jazz phrasing invites. This song works best when your singers shape the melody conversationally, especially around key emotional moments.
- Balance the ensemble sound by letting solo voices emerge naturally; the Pak structure should support intimate moments rather than always building to unison.
- The accompaniment tracks are your foundation. Have your rhythm section listen multiple times during rehearsal to absorb the harmonic movement and pocket before the full group joins in.
How to use it
Position this as your closing number at a December concert. Its message of hope extending beyond the season offers a perfect counterbalance to more traditional holiday fare and leaves audiences with something reflective to carry with them.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz phrasing and rubato
- Harmonic awareness in contemporary song settings
- Ensemble balance with featured solo writing
- Lyrical interpretation and emotional storytelling