The Many Moods of Christmas: Suite 1 SATB Choir
Arr. Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett
Item: 00-PB-0002385
$5.99
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
SATB with piano or orchestral accompaniment. Suite 1: Good Christian Men, Rejoice * Silent Night * Pat-a-Pan * O Come, All Ye Faithful. Duration, 11:20 min. Orchestral accompaniment available for rent from Alfred Rental Library. Go to presser.com/request-rental.
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Additional Details
Series:
Lawson-Gould
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
36
SKU:
00-PB-0002385
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Shaw
Robert Shaw stands as one of the most influential choral conductors and arrangers in American music history. His meticulous attention to diction, blend, and interpretive nuance transformed everything he touched, from his foundational work with the Fred Waring organization to his legendary tenure with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Shaw's arrangements are marked by respect for the source material combined with imaginative orchestration and vocal writing that serves both the music and the singers.
Robert Russell Bennett collaborated with Shaw on this suite, bringing his own formidable skills as an orchestrator. Bennett's work in film, theater, and concert music made him a master of balancing instrumental color with vocal clarity. Together, Shaw and Bennett created Christmas arrangements that feel both fresh and deeply rooted in tradition.
Why we love this
The Shaw/Bennett pairing guarantees serious musical architecture without sacrificing the joy that makes these carols resonate. Spanning four beloved texts across 11 minutes, this suite moves with purpose; each carol feels like a complete statement rather than a quick seasonal nod. The optional orchestral accompaniment opens programming possibilities while the piano version keeps rehearsal practical.
What to expect
This suite flows with the reverence and warmth of a well-planned Christmas service. Shaw's arrangements honor the familiar melodies while enriching them with harmonic depth and textural variety. You move from exuberant praise to intimate devotion to gentle celebration without ever stepping outside the season's genuine spirit.
Who it's for
SATB choirs with solid blend and secure reading skills can perform this convincingly. High school and college choirs, semi-professional groups, and advanced church choirs will find the writing accessible yet musically substantial. Directors seeking a curated Christmas program rather than a patchwork of single carols.
How to get the most out of it
- Separate the carols by character rather than treating the suite as one continuous piece. Each needs its own approach to tempo, dynamic range, and emotional weight.
- Attend carefully to Shaw's text underlay, particularly in 'Good Christian Men, Rejoice.' His phrasing choices shape how the congregation will understand the melody.
- If using the orchestral accompaniment, secure the rental early and allow rehearsal time to balance against the full ensemble rather than the piano version.
- The soprano line in 'Silent Night' sits high; consider your tessiturd and whether doubling is necessary for your ensemble's comfort.
How to use it
Build an entire Christmas concert around this suite, pairing it with contrasting carols in different styles or languages. Alternatively, perform Suite 1 as the centerpiece of a holiday service, using it to frame scripture readings or other seasonal texts. The orchestral version transforms a church or community concert into a full production without requiring a large instrumental ensemble.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining consistent blend and balance across four different melodic styles
- Coordinating phrasing with piano or orchestral accompaniment
- Executing clean part independence, particularly in the inner voices
- Shaping longer formal structures and understanding how contrasting sections create a coherent suite