This December Season!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This collection solves the real logistics of December programming by bundling six tested titles that work individually or as a cohesive 20-minute concert. The mix of sacred and secular pieces gives your singers repertoire diversity and your audience genuine variety, avoiding the fatigue of thematic sameness. Albrecht and her collaborators understand what singers enjoy performing and what audiences want to hear during the season, making this less about filler and more about substantive choral literature.

A program that honors the December season without relying on tired arrangements. These pieces blend the warmth of Christmas tradition with contemporary choral writing that respects both singers' musicality and audience expectations. Moving from playful numbers like "Jingle Bell Sleigh Ride" to more reflective moments like "Candle in the Night," the collection creates genuine emotional shape across its 20-minute arc.

Directors who need December repertoire that offers both flexibility and quality without spending time sourcing six separate octavos. This collection works for middle school through adult choirs seeking a balance of familiar holiday material and fresher seasonal writing. Whether you perform individual pieces throughout December or assemble the full package for a holiday concert, the variety in style and difficulty keeps singers engaged.

• Prepare each piece separately before attempting the full program sequence; this lets your singers build confidence and ensures each arrangement receives proper attention before you layer them together.
• Use the SoundTrax CD accompaniment as a rehearsal tool first, then decide which pieces benefit from live accompaniment at performance; some smaller pieces may work better with tracks in a concert setting.
• Balance the energy arc across the program; if you perform all six in succession, sequence them to avoid fatigue (alternate between driving rhythmic numbers and more lyrical pieces).
• Rehearse transitions carefully if you perform the program as a 20-minute block; clear sight lines and minimal dead time between pieces maintain audience engagement throughout.

Build your December concert around this collection as the core repertoire, adding one or two pieces from your existing library to round out the program to desired length. Alternatively, perform individual selections at school assemblies, winter pops events, or community performances throughout the month. The mix of sacred and secular content makes this flexible enough for school concerts, church services, or secular holiday events.

• Reading and performing mixed tonal styles (sacred and secular) within a single rehearsal focus
• Executing rhythmic precision in contemporary choral arrangements
• Sustaining dynamic control and phrasing across a 20-minute program
• Responding to recorded accompaniment with accuracy and independence
• Interpreting diverse seasonal themes and emotional contexts