Yes, Virginia: SSA Choral Octavo
There's a Santa Claus
Music by Wesley Whatley, lyrics by William Schermerhorn / arr. Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0001074
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
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More about this title
Why we love this
Andy Beck's arrangement captures the tenderness of the original while sitting perfectly for three-part voices, making this accessible without sacrificing emotional depth. The piece delivers genuine warmth without requiring instrumental accompaniment, so you can program it flexibly across concert settings. Directors consistently report that this ballad resonates with audiences of all ages and fits naturally into holiday programming or year-round repertoire celebrating hope and belief.
What to expect
The ballad unfolds with genuine sincerity, inviting singers and listeners into a quiet moment of affirmation. The harmonic language feels contemporary yet grounded, creating an emotional landscape that honors both the message of belief and the vocal simplicity needed for genuine expression.
Who it's for
Treble choirs and mixed ensembles with SSA/SSAA flexibility will find this accessible and rewarding. Community choirs, school choirs, and church music programs looking for contemporary holiday material that appeals across age groups and skill levels benefit from its approachable range and straightforward vocal writing.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line so it emerges clearly while the inner voices support with gentle harmonic color; avoid letting accompaniment figurations overshadow the vocal line.
- Shape the phrase arcs with sustained, supported legato singing rather than pushing for volume; the magic lives in intimate vocal control.
- Layer the recorded accompaniment (when available) at a level that anchors pitch without overwhelming the singers, especially in softer passages.
- Allow breath marks to feel natural within phrases rather than mechanical; singers should breathe where the text and melody suggest, creating conversational phrasing.
How to use it
Anchor a holiday concert's second half with this piece following more energetic selections, allowing the shift to reflective material to land with impact. It also works beautifully as a standalone feature during winter celebrations, holiday broadcasts, or as part of a secular sacred program exploring themes of hope and wonder.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legato phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Balancing harmony parts with confident inner-voice independence
- Singing with dynamic control and nuance in the middle and lower register
- Interpreting contemporary choral arrangements with stylistic authenticity