This Time of the Year: Choral SoundPax

Mark Hayes' arrangement captures the jazz sensibility and emotional warmth of the original while making it genuinely singable for mixed ensembles. The piece balances nostalgia with accessibility, giving choirs a sophisticated holiday selection that feels contemporary rather than quaint, and the recorded accompaniment option makes it practical for groups of any size.

Warm, reflective, and unpretentious. The piece unfolds like someone sharing holiday memories over coffee, moving from quiet nostalgia through the comfort of ritual and expectation. There's a gentle swing to the rhythm and a sincerity to the harmony that makes the familiar sentiment feel earned rather than commercial.

This arrangement works for mixed choirs at the intermediate level and above who want a holiday piece with genuine character. It appeals to directors seeking repertoire that bridges jazz traditions and contemporary choral writing, and to singers who respond to songs with a story.

• Lean into the bluesy phrasing of the melody; the piece thrives on a conversational, intimate tone rather than a formally articulated one. Let the singers find the natural speech rhythms beneath the notation.
• Balance the ensemble so soloists on the verses can be heard clearly over the supporting voices. This allows the sentimental snapshots to land without getting lost in the texture.
• Work the chord changes deliberately. Jazz harmony can sound muddy if voice leading isn't clean; isolate sections on sus chords and seventh extensions to build confidence.
• Use the recorded accompaniment strategically in rehearsal to anchor the rhythmic feel, especially if your ensemble is less familiar with jazz grooves. Then gradually build independence.

Program this in the first half of a holiday concert to establish an intimate mood before moving into livelier selections. It pairs well with more energetic Christmas repertoire and reads as sophisticated enough to close a concert when supported by quality ensemble singing. The piece also works as a standalone feature for a winter choral showcase.

• Singing jazz harmony, including sus chords and seventh extensions
• Phrasing and expression in a bluesy, conversational style
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures in close harmony
• Interpreting swing rhythm and rubato within a groove-based accompaniment
• Layered listening and part independence in contemporary jazz arrangements