What Will Santa Claus Say?: SSA Choral Octavo

Prima's infectious melodic sensibility shines through in this arrangement, which keeps the bounce and humor of the original without requiring your singers to have performed jazz for years. Shackley's harmonization gives the piece rhythmic bite while staying singable for SSA, making it a genuine crowd-pleaser that doesn't sacrifice musical substance for novelty.

Imagine a Christmas novelty number that actually swings. The tight chromatic harmonies create sophisticated forward motion, while the quirky melodic twists and upbeat rhythms keep audiences smiling. It's the kind of piece where musical substance and theatrical charm meet without compromise.

This octavo suits SSA or SSAA choirs with at least some exposure to jazz vocabulary and swing feel. It works equally well for concert choirs looking to add levity to a program or for jazz-focused ensembles seeking repertoire that combines musicality with entertainment value.

• Lock the swing feel across all three parts from the first rehearsal; uneven interpretations of the eighth-note subdivision will muddy the tight chromatic harmonies.
• Emphasize the articulation in the rhythmic passages to make the novelty elements land with precision rather than falling flat.
• Balance the vocal lines so the melody remains clear while the supporting parts drive the harmonic interest forward.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the style reference early, then sing without it to build ensemble confidence in the swing pocket.

Program this as a palate cleanser after a block of serious choral works, or anchor a holiday pops concert where swing and jazz standards feel at home. The playful character pairs well with other Prima arrangements or novelty holiday pieces if you're building a thematic second half.

• Swing rhythm interpretation and eighth-note feel
• Chromatic voice leading and harmonic awareness
• Rhythmic precision and articulation control
• Jazz style vocabulary and performance conventions