Who Put the Christmas Presents Under the Tree?: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher, music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0001642
$1.85
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"Last night there were no presents to spy, now the gifts are piled high." So, whodunit? Curious kids need to know, and this swingin' big band hit isn't afraid to ask! A fun and entertaining holiday gift, wrapped in panache and tied with a stylish bow. Featured on "Reaching for the Stars" choral movement DVD 00-39928. Check this out! https://leapingbrain.com/modshop/product/?shop=9&product=5694
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001642
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged over 450 choral works now in active print. His catalog spans vocal resources, children's musicals, and foundational choral materials including Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. His music reaches singers on every continent, and he maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States and beyond.
Beck holds degrees in music education from Ithaca College (Bachelor's) and Northwest Missouri State University (Master's). A tenor himself, he performs with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and directs musical theatre. He has served as a commissioned composer and guest conductor for honor choirs throughout the Southeast, and his work as an Alfred Music studio singer since 1992 grounds his understanding of what singers need and want to perform.
Why we love this
Beck writes choral arrangements with infectious energy and real warmth for young singers. The big band setting captures children's excitement about the mystery itself, and the two-part voicing keeps the focus on storytelling rather than technical complexity. This is holiday music that respects kids' intelligence and their love of swinging rhythm.
What to expect
A playful mystery wrapped in big band swagger. The energy is bright and bouncy, with the kind of rhythmic drive that makes kids want to move. There's genuine humor in the setup, and the "whodunit" premise invites singers to perform with personality and tongue-in-cheek delight.
Who it's for
This piece works for upper elementary and middle school choirs, particularly singers ready to handle two-part harmony with independence. It's equally valuable for holiday concerts seeking music that entertains audiences without requiring extensive vocal technique or rehearsal time.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the conversational quality of the opening lines. Treat the mystery question as genuine curiosity, not a rhetorical device. This pulls the audience into the song immediately.
- Balance the two parts so the dialogue between them feels natural. Neither part should dominate; they're having a conversation together about these vanishing and reappearing presents.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the big band groove. The rhythm section drives the energy, so singers should sit into the swing feel rather than rushing ahead of it.
- Layer in movement and staging intentionally. The octavo note mentions choreography options; even simple gestures (pointing at imaginary presents, looking around in mock confusion) reinforce the playful tone.
How to use it
Slot this into a holiday concert as a palate cleanser between more traditional carols or as the anchor for a secular holiday set. Its theatrical appeal makes it an excellent closer for a younger choir segment, or pair it with other contemporary holiday pieces to show the range of December repertoire beyond hymns and classics.
Skills your students will build
- Two-part harmonic independence and blend
- Rhythm reading in swing contexts
- Maintaining ensemble energy while singing with character and expression
- Phrasing and storytelling through lyrics
- Coordination of singing with movement and staging