We Wish You a Merry Christmas: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Lantz resists the temptation to overcomplicate a beloved tune; instead, he lets rhythmic vitality and smart harmonic choices do the work. The close contemporary voicing sits naturally for two-part singers while sounding unmistakably modern, making this arrangement a genuine crowd-pleaser that sounds like a composed work, not a reworking.

Imagine walking into a modern jazz lounge where someone is reimagining a holiday classic with infectious grooves and smart chords. The arrangement glides between comfort and surprise, never losing the melody you know while inviting listeners into a contemporary sonic landscape that feels both sophisticated and joyful.

Jazz and show choirs seeking an arrangement of a holiday standard that sounds completely fresh without alienating audiences. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible to mixed or non-auditioned ensembles, yet the contemporary harmony and rhythmic energy appeal to singers who want substance alongside familiarity.

• Nail the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal. The infectious quality depends on precision and relaxation in the groove, not rushing or dragging.
• Balance the contemporary harmonies carefully so chord color rings without overshadowing the melody line.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to lock the feel, then gradually reduce reliance on it as the choir internalizes the rhythmic foundation.
• Lean into the jazz inflections with vowel shapes and articulation that mirror the style; a slight swing feel in the phrasing lifts the arrangement immediately.

Program this as a closer or second-to-last piece in a holiday concert, especially if your show choir or jazz choir performs other contemporary repertoire. It's equally at home in a multi-genre holiday pops show, where it signals a stylistic shift from traditional carols into something with edge and personality.

• Reading and performing close harmonies in two-part writing
• Jazz inflection and swing phrasing
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary groove-based music
• Blend and balance in ensemble singing across style
• Interpretation of contemporary harmonic language