Three Carols for a Celebration: 2nd B-flat Clarinet
Arr. Robert Sheldon
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0001250_C2
$3.00
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Description
This outstanding arrangement of three well-known Christmas carols, "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High," is scored with contemporary harmonies but it easily played by the youngest of bands. With versatile solo parts, you can spotlight your star student, have a different soloist for each of the three carols, or have a small group or the entire section play. A wonderful teaching tool, this mature-sounding arrangement will be a holiday favorite! 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, Three Carols for a Celebration: 2nd B-flat Clarinet 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 Debut Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
68
SKU:
00-PC-0001250_C2
More about this title
About the Arranger: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon's arrangements and original compositions for wind band appear on honor band lists and concert programs across the globe. His work has earned recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP, and his music is performed regularly in Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, Orchestra Hall, and other major venues. He is the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and commission composer.
Sheldon has conducted and taught throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, bringing his expertise to All-State honor bands, university clinics, and state music education conferences. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education.
Why we love this
Sheldon understands exactly what a developing concert band can accomplish, and this arrangement proves it. The versatile solo writing means you can feature your strongest player one moment and build confidence in an emerging soloist the next, all while the band plays music that sounds polished and intentional. It is rare to find holiday repertoire this accessible that doesn't sacrifice musical substance.
What to expect
Familiar melodies reimagined with contemporary harmonic color that feels sophisticated without complexity. The music sits comfortably under young players' hands while creating a warmth that resonates with audiences who know these carols by heart.
Who it's for
Young concert bands (Grade 1) preparing winter concert repertoire without sacrificing musical credibility. Directors seeking arrangements that teach ensemble balance and blend while honoring these beloved carols. Bands with developing soloists who benefit from exposed parts and real musical responsibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Assign soloists strategically across rehearsals so multiple students experience playing over ensemble support, building individual confidence before the performance.
- Balance the contemporary harmonies by ensuring your inner voices (altos, tenors) enter clearly; their lines anchor the harmonic refresh that makes this arrangement feel fresh rather than predictable.
- Consider splitting featured passages between a single soloist and a small section (two or three players) to maintain energy and give different students meaningful solo moments without overexposing any one performer.
- Let the natural phrasing of these familiar melodies guide your tempo choices; resist the urge to rush through the carol structure even though the music sits easily under the fingers.
How to use it
Open a winter concert with all three carols in sequence, or space them across your program as elegant transitions between larger works. The Grade 1 accessibility makes this ideal for mixed-ability programs where you want consistent musical quality without scale or tempo challenges.
Skills your students will build
- Playing solos with ensemble accompaniment
- Balancing individual lines within contemporary harmonies
- Sustaining familiar melodies while hearing harmonic variations underneath
- Responding to conductor cues during featured passages and ensemble sections
- Ensemble blend and dynamic control within Grade 1 technical range