The Icy December: SATB Choral Octavo

Hayes takes a traditional Catalan carol and gives it the kind of thoughtful, unhurried treatment that lets the text and melody breathe. The full four-part harmonization creates genuine beauty without overshadowing the charm of the original tune, making it equally valuable in a holiday concert or a multicultural exploration of Christmas traditions.

Warm and reflective, with an old-world quality that invites singers to inhabit the carol's simplicity and spiritual depth. The full harmonization adds richness without weight, creating a sound that feels both timeless and intimate.

This octavo works for intermediate to advanced high school choirs, college ensembles, and church choirs seeking authentic yet approachable Christmas selections. It suits programs that emphasize cultural variety or those looking for a sacred piece with genuine melodic appeal beyond standard holiday fare.

• Honor the unhurried tempo marking; resist the urge to rush through the phrases, allowing the Catalan (or English) text to resonate with the full chord changes beneath it.
• Balance the soprano melody with sustained support from lower voices so that the tune emerges naturally rather than as a featured line.
• Use the recorded accompaniment (PianoTrax 3, 00-34744) in rehearsal to establish solid intonation and to hear how the arrangement's harmonic movement supports each phrase.

Program this alongside other world carols or Christmas music that shifts focus beyond Anglo-American traditions, or feature it as a standalone seasonal anthem for winter concert programs. Its moderate length and clear structure also make it suitable for a cappella performance at holiday services or community celebrations.

• Sustaining long phrases in a slower harmonic rhythm
• Balancing melody and harmony in four-part writing
• Singing text in a non-English language with rhythmic clarity
• Responding to accompaniment as a structural and harmonic guide