Two Extra Jazz Carols (God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen; O Come, All Ye Faithful): SATB Choral Octavo

Todd's jazz sensibility transforms these familiar carols into something that feels fresh without losing their essential character. The voicings are idiomatic to jazz writing but never awkward for classical singers, and the arrangements sit naturally in most choir ranges.

Sophisticated and modern without losing warmth. The jazz harmonies and syncopated rhythms give the carols an urbane edge, yet the familiar melodies keep them emotionally grounded and recognizable to audiences.

Choirs with singers comfortable enough in a jazz idiom to understand swing rhythm and jazz phrasing, plus directors looking to program carols that sidestep the conventional holiday arrangement. This works well for high school, college, and community choirs.

• Spend time on the jazz rhythms in isolation before combining them with the melodic line. Getting the groove locked in rehearsal prevents tentative singing during performance.
• Balance the inner voices carefully. Todd's chord voicings often carry important harmonic color in the altos and tenors, which can disappear if the tune dominates.
• Let the jazz inflection breathe. These aren't strict swing feel arrangements, so avoid over-stylizing. A light, conversational swing on the eighth notes will serve the music better than forcing every phrase.

Reserve these for a concert where the full choir can offer something stylistically different from your traditional carol selections. They pair beautifully with a mix of straight arrangements and contemporary work, or anchor a progressive holiday program that shows your ensemble's range.

• Singing jazz rhythms and swing feel
• Reading syncopated lines within traditional harmony
• Balancing jazz phrasing with choral blend
• Understanding voicing color in jazz harmony