We Need a Little Christmas: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Mark Hayes
Item: 35-PK00273693
$74.95
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Description
Originating from Jerry Herman's Broadway musical "Mame", the popular Christmas song is thrilling in this newly orchestrated choral work. Children to adults will love this holiday gem, which is available in multiple voicings, including for men's and women's choirs.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00273693
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes has established himself as one of the most prolific composers and arrangers in contemporary music, with more than 1,750 published works spanning sacred, secular, orchestral, and keyboard genres. A summa cum laude graduate of Baylor University's piano program, Hayes brings both classical training and deep musical versatility to every project he undertakes. His credentials include conducting appointments at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, plus a 2010 Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music from Baylor University.
Beyond concert works and choral compositions, Hayes has built a remarkable catalog of over 100 piano books and earned recognition as an accomplished orchestrator and record producer. His film score for Civil War Voices garnered six awards at the 2010 Midtown International Theatre Festival, while his arrangement and orchestration work on major theatrical productions demonstrates his skill at translating dramatic material across different musical contexts. Whether composing at his Kansas City home or conducting world premieres from Rome to Hong Kong, Hayes remains committed to creating music of lasting beauty across all idioms.
Why we love this
Mark Hayes understands how to take a beloved pop standard and give it genuine choral substance without sacrificing the melodic charm that made the original irresistible. The multiple voicing options mean you can perform this with virtually any choir configuration, making it an unusually flexible addition to your holiday programming. A Hayes arrangement brings the work of a master orchestrator to your rehearsal, and that level of craft shows immediately in both the parts and the final sound.
What to expect
Joyful and theatrical, this arrangement captures the buoyant spirit of the original while adding orchestral depth that feels celebratory rather than overstuffed. The Hayes touch brings sophistication to the harmony without dimming the warmth of the melody, creating something that feels both polished and genuinely festive.
Who it's for
This works beautifully for school choirs, community ensembles, and church music programs looking for a crowd-pleasing holiday selection that doesn't feel lightweight. The arrangement accommodates singers from middle school through adult levels, and the voice options (men's, women's, mixed) mean you can find the right fit for nearly any ensemble.
How to get the most out of it
- The recorded accompaniment should lock the ensemble firmly in place, particularly during the faster sections where rhythmic precision directly impacts the song's infectious energy.
- Balance the melodic line generously so the soaring moments land without effort; this arrangement rewards transparent singing from your top voices.
- Lean into the Broadway idiom by keeping diction bright and forward, especially on repeated phrases that benefit from theatrical clarity.
- Shape the dynamic arc carefully across the full arrangement, resisting the urge to sing flat or drag in the gentler passages that give the piece breathing room.
How to use it
Place this as a centerpiece in your holiday concert, where it can anchor a set of more intimate or classical Christmas selections. It also works effectively as an opener or closer, giving audiences an immediate connection to music they already cherish while showcasing your ensemble's musicianship.
Skills your students will build
- Stylistic control within Broadway idiom (diction, phrasing, tempo flexibility)
- Balancing melody with harmonic texture in full orchestration
- Unified vocal production across ensemble voicings
- Ensemble listening and rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
- Dramatic interpretation and connection to text in popular song repertoire