What Child Is This? Cover Image

What Child Is This?: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$27.99 USD
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What Child Is This? Cover Image

What Child Is This?: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Traditional Carol, words by William Chatterton Dix / arr., with additional words, by Russell Robinson

Item: 00-A-00015493

$27.99
Digital Download
Description

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00015493

More about this title

About the Arranger: Russell Robinson

Russell Robinson

Russell Robinson brings decades of experience in choral music education to his work as a composer and arranger. As Emeritus Professor of Music Education at the University of Florida, he has conducted ensembles at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center, and has been a frequent presenter at festivals, conferences, and honor choirs across six continents. His recognition includes induction into the Florida Music Educators Association Hall of Fame and service as National Collegiate Chair and Choral Adviser for the National Association for Music Education.

With over 500 publications in print, Robinson has built a substantial catalog of choral compositions, arrangements, and instructional materials that reflect his deep understanding of what works in the rehearsal room and on the concert stage. His arrangements balance accessibility with musical integrity, making them valuable resources for directors seeking quality literature that serves both developing and experienced choirs.

Why we love this

Robinson's arrangement of this beloved carol finds the right balance between honoring its traditional roots and providing a setting that engages contemporary singers. The recorded accompaniment means your choir can prepare independently and still deliver a polished performance, making this an efficient choice for holiday programming when rehearsal time is limited.

What to expect

This arrangement preserves the carol's quiet reverence while providing harmonic warmth that feels both familiar and refreshed. The recorded accompaniment grounds the singers, allowing them to focus on pure ensemble tone and the emotional arc of the text.

Who it's for

This digital download works for any choir seeking a straightforward, well-crafted setting of this traditional carol for holiday concerts. The included recorded accompaniment makes it accessible to choirs that may not have reliable keyboard support on performance day.

How to get the most out of it

  • Listen to the recorded accompaniment multiple times before the first rehearsal so you can identify the melody line and inner voice parts in relation to the harmonic support.
  • Shape the phrasing around the text's natural cadences rather than feeling tied to bar lines; this helps the carol retain its song-like quality.
  • Balance the texture so the primary melody remains audible without forcing it. Robinson's arrangement supports this through his voice leading choices.

How to use it

Use this as a standalone carol in a Christmas concert, or pair it with other seasonal settings to create a mixed-style holiday selection. The moderate difficulty level and relatively brief performance time make it ideal for placement in the first half of a concert, where audiences settle into the evening's mood.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment
  • Singing sacred text with appropriate reverence and diction
  • Responding to recorded accompaniment tracks
  • Interpreting traditional carol style with musical sensitivity

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