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The Twelve Songs of Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo

$3.50 USD
$3.50 USD
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The Twelve Songs of Christmas Cover Image
The Twelve Songs of Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo

The Twelve Songs of Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo

A Medley of Seasonal Favorites

Arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-11609
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Description
The perfect Christmas piece: a 6 1/2 minute medley of twelve of the most popular holiday favorites from, "Silent Night" to the rousing finale of the "Hallelujah Chorus" (sure to bring your audience to its feet). Great for ANY choir. The optional instrumental accompaniment is quite effective and simple to add (or use the SoundTrax). Includes Deck the Halls, Good King Winceslas, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, What Child Is This?, Silent Night, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, One Fine Day, We Three Kings, and Hallelujah Chorus.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Twelve Songs of Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo 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 Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 20
UPC: 038081118383
SKU: 00-11609

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored with the Distinguished Alumni award. His eight years in music publishing as a rights and licenses administrator included a term on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. He is an ASCAP writer member and regular recipient of the ASCAP Special Award, with more than 800 choral compositions currently in print across all difficulty levels.

Althouse's collaborative projects include children's musicals co-written with Sally K. Albrecht, widely used vocal solo collections such as Folk Songs for Solo Singers, and co-authored pedagogical works including The Complete Choral Warm-up Book and Accent on Composers. His arrangement I Hear America Singing, created with Albrecht, was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. Based in North Carolina, he has served on multiple boards including the North Carolina Master Chorale and currently contributes to the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America.

Why we love this

Althouse has crafted a medley that captures the full emotional arc of Christmas repertoire, moving seamlessly from intimate carols to a triumphant choral climax without ever feeling rushed or disjointed. The inclusion of "Hallelujah Chorus" as the finale means your audience gets the theatrical payoff they expect, while the preceding selections give your choir a chance to show range and control. For programs where you need one substantial, crowd-pleasing piece that works for any skill level, this delivers.

What to expect

The piece traces a journey from quiet reverence through joyful proclamation, giving listeners the nostalgia and warmth of beloved carols while building toward celebration. The familiar melodies create immediate connection, while the thoughtful orchestration keeps the performance fresh even for audiences who know these songs by heart.

Who it's for

This medley works for choirs at all levels, from community groups and school ensembles to more advanced singers. Directors seeking a single showpiece that fills a substantial portion of a holiday concert without requiring multiple separate rehearsals will find it particularly valuable.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape each carol distinctly within the medley by varying dynamics and tempo slightly; the transitions should feel natural, not mechanical.
  • Balance the soprano solos (particularly in the early songs) so they project without drowning out the harmonic foundation from the lower voices.
  • Prepare the "Hallelujah Chorus" section to build gradually; resist the urge to jump to full volume at the start, allowing the crescendo to feel earned and genuine.

How to use it

Position this as the centerpiece of your Christmas concert, either as the penultimate selection before a brief closing piece or as the finale itself. Its varied emotional content and uplifting conclusion make it equally effective as a program opener for holiday fundraisers or community performances.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained legit singing across multiple contrasting melodic styles within one continuous piece
  • Interpretive choices in carol literature and hymn singing
  • Quick transitions between musical moods and tempos
  • Blend and balance in a multi-song medley format
  • Enthusiasm and confidence in extended choral singing at varying dynamic levels

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