We Wish You a Merry Christmas Cover Image

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo

$2.25 USD

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: We Wish You a Merry Christmas: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-LG00750
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Alice Parker

Item: 00-LG00750

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Lawson-Gould Music Publishers

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 783556001225

SKU: 00-LG00750

More about this title

About the Arranger: Alice Parker

Alice Parker's career spans decades of deep engagement with vocal music and American musical traditions. A composition student at Smith College and later Juilliard, where she formed a vital creative partnership with Robert Shaw, Parker developed a distinctive approach to setting folksongs, hymns, and spirituals that has become standard repertoire in choirs worldwide. Her output includes over five hundred published works across every vocal genre, from full operas to individual anthems.

Parker's influence extends beyond composition into pedagogy and advocacy. She founded Melodious Accord, Inc. in 1985 to champion the centrality of melody in choral singing, and authored several books on choral technique, improvisation, and congregational music. Her honors include the Robert Shaw Award from the American Choral Directors Association, the Harvard Glee Club Foundation Medal, and six honorary doctorates. Parker served as the first Director Laureate of Chorus America and was named Distinguished Composer of the Year by the American Guild of Organists.

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Why we love this

Parker brings her signature clarity and singability to this perennial favorite, ensuring every voice part feels natural and purposeful rather than filler. The arrangement respects the melody's iconic status while providing sufficient harmonic interest to keep experienced singers engaged. This is the version that reminds you why this carol endures: it's fundamentally about making voices blend beautifully.

What to expect

Warm and uncluttered. Parker's setting strips away excess while maintaining harmonic sophistication, so the piece feels both traditional and refined. It sits comfortably in singers' voices and leaves room for genuine ensemble warmth.

Who it's for

Any choir looking for a straightforward, rehearsal-friendly version of this standard. The 12-page octavo works equally well for community choirs, high school singers, and church chancel groups who need something reliable for holiday performances.

How to get the most out of it

Let the melody breathe slightly ahead of the supporting voices, especially at phrase endings. Parker's voicing makes this spatial clarity possible without sacrificing blend.
Balance the parts so soprano never dominates; the sopranos and altos should sit at nearly equal dynamic weight, allowing the tune to feel shared rather than solo-driven.
Shape each phrase with a gentle taper rather than dramatic dynamics. The text benefits from natural lift and release that comes from careful breath placement across the ensemble.

How to use it

Place this as a closing encore at winter concerts, or tuck it into a longer holiday set where its directness provides welcome contrast to more elaborate seasonal arrangements. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for introducing less experienced singers to SATB singing without the technical demands of more complex repertoire.