The Moon of Winter (The Huron Carol): Score
Arr. Vince Gassi
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002903
$8.00
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Description
"The Huron Carol" is Canada's oldest Christmas carol, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary. The melody is from a tradition French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" (A Young Maid). Intended as a gift and teaching aid to the Huron people, Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in their native language. "The Moon of Winter" is a powerful and moving adaptation of this carol for band that will enhance your next Christmas concert, adding a sense of reverence and honor. (2:57) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Moon of Winter (The Huron Carol): Score 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:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
182
SKU:
00-PR-0002903
More about this title
About the Arranger: Vince Gassi
Vince Gassi has been composing and arranging for young ensembles since 2006, amassing over 100 published works that balance accessibility with genuine musical substance. His background spans a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario, advanced study at the Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. from York University in Toronto. Over twenty-five years of classroom teaching at the elementary and secondary levels informs his distinctive approach to writing for student musicians.
Gassi is a frequent guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician throughout North America, leading workshops on creative engagement and digital workflows for music directors. His pieces regularly appear on contest and concert programs internationally, and his work has been performed across North America, Europe, and Japan. He continues to receive commissions and is a fixture at major conferences like the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Why we love this
Gassi captures the spiritual depth of this 1643 carol without overwhelming a developing band. The Grade 2 scoring serves the melody itself rather than obscuring it, letting the historical weight and reverent character shine through while keeping parts singable and manageable. A Christmas program needs substance, and this arrangement delivers it alongside accessibility.
What to expect
A quiet moment of reflection wrapped in warm instrumental color. The arrangement honors Brébeuf's gift to the Huron people by letting the ancient melody speak clearly, supported by thoughtful harmonies that feel both period-appropriate and accessible to young players. The piece carries a sense of dignity and calm stillness, the kind that settles into a concert hall and sticks with audiences long after the final note.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level looking for music that combines historical significance with musical substance. Directors seeking a respectful arrangement of Canada's oldest Christmas carol that challenges students while remaining within their technical reach. Ensembles programming a winter concert and wanting repertoire that speaks to reverence and cultural heritage alongside traditional holiday material.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrasing to honor the carol's devotional origins; resist the temptation to rush through phrases and instead allow space for the melodic line to breathe.
- Balance the woodwind and brass sections carefully so that the leading melodic voice remains audible without requiring extreme dynamic extremes from any section.
- Record a sectional rehearsal focusing on articulation consistency across parts; uniform tonguing or attacks strengthens the ensemble's cohesion and the clarity of the arrangement.
- Use the 2:57 performance time as your rehearsal target; mapping the piece to this tempo ensures you're hitting the intended character and pacing for concert performance.
How to use it
Position this in the second half of your Christmas concert, perhaps following higher-energy seasonal selections; the tonal shift toward reverence gives audiences a chance to listen differently. Pair it with other arrangements of historical carols or folk traditions to create a thematic section on the evolution of Christmas music. The Grade 2 accessibility makes it suitable as a centerpiece for an early-winter concert or a mid-year seasonal program when full technical difficulty isn't yet in reach.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legato phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Blending woodwind and brass sections to support a single leading voice
- Reading and performing sacred choral literature adapted for instrumental ensemble
- Recognizing historical context and cultural significance as part of musical interpretation
- Balancing technical simplicity with expressive musicianship