'Tis the Season to Be Jolly!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Featuring: Deck the Halls / Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Traditional, and by Benjamin Hanby and James Pierpont / arr. Doug Adams
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0006489
$51.00
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Description
Seamlessly joining "Deck the Halls" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," this holiday gem will make the season glisten. A snap to prepare, there's one brief ritardando between the tunes, then they'll be off to hang their stockings with care! (1:45)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, 'Tis the Season to Be Jolly!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
132
SKU:
00-PK-0006489
More about this title
About the Composer: Benjamin Hanby
Benjamin Hanby (1833-1867) composed "Darling, I Am Growing Old," one of the most enduring parlor songs of the 19th century, and wrote "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," which became a beloved Christmas standard. Though his life was brief, his melodies demonstrated a gift for direct, memorable composition that resonated with both amateur and professional musicians of his era.
Hanby worked as a music teacher and composer in Westerville, Ohio, where he contributed significantly to the shape of American popular music during the Civil War period. His ability to craft simple, singable melodies made his work accessible to household musicians and school ensembles alike.
Why we love this
Doug Adams has crafted a Grade 1 arrangement that respects the integrity of both melodies while keeping preparation time minimal. The single ritardando as a transition between "Deck the Halls" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" provides just enough musical sophistication to keep young players engaged without overcomplicating the score.
What to expect
Bright, direct, and festive without pretense. These two melodies speak for themselves; the arrangement stays out of their way and lets students experience the joy of playing recognizable holiday tunes together. The energy is straightforward and celebratory.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands seeking reliable, audience-friendly material that requires minimal rehearsal time. Directors programming holiday concerts for Grade 1 or early Grade 2 ensembles will find this medley both musically appropriate and practical to prepare.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the 1:45 duration guide your tempo choices; these melodies work best with straightforward conducting that your beginning musicians can follow easily.
- Shape the ritardando between the two tunes as a genuine musical gesture, not a stumble. Even at Grade 1 level, that moment teaches students about phrase ending and transition.
- Balance the part-writing so the melody sings through regardless of which section carries it. With very easy literature, clarity of line matters most.
How to use it
Anchor a holiday concert with this during the opening or closing moments. Its short duration and accessible musicality make it an ideal opener that sets a warm, inviting tone, or a crowd-pleasing finale that leaves the audience humming as they head home.
Skills your students will build
- Reading simple melodic lines across concert band instrumentation
- Maintaining steady tempo through a short medley
- Executing a ritardando as a musical phrase ending
- Balancing ensemble sound in Grade 1 textures