We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Emily Crocker
Item: 35-PK00435640
$45.00
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Description
A staple of Christmastime choral repertoire, Emily Crocker's delightful arrangement of this holiday classic is now available for SAB and women's choirs! And perhaps even more excitingly, the chamber orchestra score and parts are now available for the first time ever. Expanding upon the bass and percussion parts that were originally available in 1998, the accompaniment has been enlarged and orchestrated into a brilliant new companion to the choral arrangements which have been top sellers for years!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00435640
More about this title
About the Arranger: Emily Crocker
Emily Crocker spent 15 years teaching music in Texas public schools across all grade levels before joining Hal Leonard in 1989. Her 29 years with the company included a tenure as VP of Choral Publications starting in 2000, during which she shaped the voice of contemporary choral publishing.
Beyond her publishing work, Crocker founded and directed the Milwaukee Children's Choir from 1994 to 2009, earning the title Director Emeritus in 2019. She also established the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee from 2009 to 2015. Her compositions have reached audiences worldwide, with particular recognition for her skill in creating accessible yet musically substantive choral instructional materials. She currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continues composing and advocating for the arts.
Why we love this
Crocker's version of this perennial favorite captures the warmth and familiarity everyone expects while adding sophisticated harmonic color that keeps singers engaged. The new orchestral accompaniment transforms a reliable workhorse into something genuinely special, giving even modest programs a polished, professional sound.
What to expect
Warmth and celebration with an understated sophistication. The arrangement respects the melody that audiences know by heart while surrounding it with rich harmonic movement and instrumental color that feels genuinely orchestral rather than overstuffed.
Who it's for
SAB and women's choirs looking for a Christmas standard that sounds polished without requiring advanced vocal technique. Directors who want to pair their singers with real orchestral accompaniment rather than synthesized alternatives.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the ensemble with the orchestra by running sectional rehearsals where singers hear the instrumental parts on recording first. This helps them lock into the harmonic foundation before full rehearsals.
- Mark clear cutoff points in the score where the orchestra takes breath or shifts texture. Singers need visual cues to stay together when accompaniment details shift.
- Work the final phrase with particular attention to tempo stability. This moment benefits from a conductor who is comfortable letting the chorus shape the conclusion rather than fighting against ensemble momentum.
- Record a rough run-through early in your rehearsal process. Hearing themselves against the full orchestration often reveals balance issues that spotting alone won't catch.
How to use it
Open a holiday concert with this familiar gesture, letting the audience settle in and feel welcomed before moving into more demanding repertoire. Its accessibility also makes it an ideal centerpiece for community performances or events where you're mixing singers of varying experience levels.
Skills your students will build
- Blend and balance within chamber voicing
- Ensemble coordination with live instrumental accompaniment
- Interpretation of harmonic color in a contemporary arrangement
- Part independence while maintaining melodic integrity