What'cha Gonna Bring for Christmas?: SSAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0000506
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Feature your best solo crooner(s) on this '50s inspired a cappella chorus that begs Santa for a timeless teen wish: "Won't you bring me someone to love?" The choir serves equally as the featured act (of the chorus and bridge) and the backup singers (for two dreamy verses). The final falsetto phrases and 7th chord cadence deliver a sweet doo-wop ending.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000506
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck leads the choral publications division at Alfred Music, where he shapes the catalog of resources used by music educators nationwide. His compositional output spans over 450 works for choir, vocalists, and young performers, alongside instructional titles like Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique that have become staples in many programs.
Beyond the page, Beck is active as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States and internationally. He has served as commissioned composer and conductor for honor choirs and all-state groups, particularly throughout the Southeast. A trained tenor with degrees from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, he continues to perform with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and has contributed as a studio singer for Alfred since 1992.
Why we love this
Beck nails the doo-wop sound here with smart voice leading that lets singers nail those 7th chord harmonies without overcomplicating things. The dual role structure, where your choir becomes both the featured ensemble and the backup singers, gives you flexibility in who carries the load and keeps rehearsal engaging across the verse-to-chorus arc.
What to expect
Stepping into a 1950s diner where the jukebox just warmed up. The sound is all swooning harmonies and toe-tapping rhythms, with a sweetness that feels nostalgic without being saccharine. Those final falsetto lines and the 7th chord send-off deliver a wink and a bow.
Who it's for
Groups with at least one or two confident singers comfortable taking a featured role in an a cappella setting. The piece works equally well for holiday concerts, winter programs, or any show needing a fun, retro-flavored novelty number that keeps audiences smiling.
How to get the most out of it
- Layer in the doo-wop backup syllables (wop, bop, etc.) from the SAB parts with precision so the top line soloists sit cleanly over the texture rather than competing with it.
- Dial in the 7th chord cadence at the end by having singers lock the voicings a full measure before the final beat; this gives the sweetness time to settle.
- Let the falsetto phrases breathe. Younger singers often want to muscle through them; encourage a lighter, floated tone that recalls the vocal spirit of the era.
- Rehearse the verse and chorus sections separately so the group internalizes both the solo-support role and the full-voiced moments before combining them.
How to use it
Slot this into a winter or holiday concert as a palate cleanser between more substantial pieces. Its lighthearted charm and distinctive retro character make it ideal for opening a second act or serving as a crowd-pleasing finale that leaves audiences in good spirits.
Skills your students will build
- Singing 7th chord harmonies in tune
- Balancing solo and ensemble roles within one piece
- Executing rhythm and phrasing in a cappella settings
- Producing contrast between verse and chorus textures
- Applying era-specific vocal style (doo-wop sensibility)