We Need a Little Christmas / Mister Santa: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Pat Ballard / Arranged by Roger Emerson
Item: 35-PK00180444
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Description
Brighten up your Christmas program with this irresistible mash-up of two holiday favorites! From the opening vocal "bm-bm-bm's" of "Mister Santa" to the cheerful 2-beat of "We Need a Little Christmas," your whole audience will love this entertaining pairing! Duration: ca. 2:30.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00180444
More about this title
About the Artist: Pat Ballard
Pat Ballard wrote songs that captured the spirit of mid-century popular music with warmth and accessibility. As a composer and lyricist, Ballard created material that connected with everyday listeners while maintaining musical integrity. His holiday compositions, particularly "Mister Santa," became standards that generations of performers have returned to, proving that sincerity and catchiness aren't mutually exclusive.
Why we love this
Roger Emerson's arrangement takes two songs with completely different characters and builds them into a cohesive narrative that audiences find genuinely delightful. The 2-minute 30-second length fits perfectly into packed holiday schedules, and the contrast between the playful opening and the buoyant second half gives singers material that stays engaging even after multiple rehearsals.
What to expect
The energy shifts from playful and conversational in the opening to bright and driving once the 2-beat takes hold. It's the musical equivalent of a smile that gets wider; the piece pulls listeners into its momentum with humor and genuine warmth rather than heavy orchestration.
Who it's for
Choral ensembles of mixed ability who want accessible holiday material that entertains both performers and audiences. This works especially well for directors managing concert time constraints without sacrificing fun or musical content.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening vocal 'bm-bm-bm's' with crisp articulation and unified vowel placement. This hooks the audience immediately, so make it precise rather than sloppy.
- Keep the rhythmic energy steady through the transition between the two songs. The shift to 2-beat feel requires the rhythm section to lock in early so the choir feels confident riding the tempo change.
- Balance the accompaniment volume so the vocal lines sit forward. With instrumental doubled lines, it's easy for the band to overshadow your singers, especially in ensemble sections.
- Allow the arrangement's lighter moments to breathe. Resist the urge to push tempo uniformly; small flexible phrasing makes the mash-up feel more organic rather than mechanical.
How to use it
Place this as a lighter moment mid-concert to reset audience attention or close out your holiday show on an unambiguously upbeat note. The accessible melody and clear structure make it memorable enough to work whether your program leans traditional or contemporary.
Skills your students will build
- Executing clean articulation on rhythmic syllables and text
- Sustaining 2-beat rhythmic feel against 4-beat instrumental accompaniment
- Managing tempo transitions between contrasting sections
- Balancing vocal tone with fuller instrumental textures
- Responding to arrangement cues that integrate multiple melodic ideas