Yuletide Celebration: Score
Arranged by Elliot Del Borgo
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-DB1133S
$9.00
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Description
Elliot Del Borgo has included 4 well-known Christmas carols in a clever arrangement for younger musicians. All of the tunes are clearly presented with some harmonic and melodic twists along the way to keep everyone entertained. A classic arrangement from one of the country's most popular and prolific writers. (5:20)
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1133S
More about this title
About the Composer: Elliot Del Borgo
Elliot Del Borgo has shaped the landscape of young band music for decades, with a catalogue that balances accessibility and musical substance. His arrangements and original compositions appear on the stand of thousands of school bands every year, proving that Grade 2 and 3 writing can engage serious musicians without sacrificing technique or musicality.
Why we love this
Del Borgo refuses to phone in holiday arrangements. Rather than stacking carols in straightforward succession, he layers harmonic color and unexpected melodic details that reward careful listening from both performers and audience. The Grade 2.5 level lands exactly where younger bands need challenge without frustration, making this a smart choice for programs that want substance, not sentimentality.
What to expect
Familiar carols arrive with fresh angles; you recognize the tune immediately, then Del Borgo pivots the harmony underneath in ways that surprise both player and listener. The writing breathes warmth without saccharine simplicity, letting each carol sound like a small discovery rather than a dutiful performance.
Who it's for
Bands with solid fundamentals but limited experience reading complex harmonic writing will thrive here. This works equally well for middle school ensembles ready to move beyond simplified holiday fare and for younger high school groups looking to build arrangement literacy.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the inner voices during harmonic twists; younger horn and trombone players often disappear when the melody moves to the woodwinds.
- Mark breath points clearly in parts so students don't hold through phrase endings where Del Borgo has arranged rests for effect.
- Treat the 5:20 duration as rehearsal gold; break the piece into the four carols during early run-throughs so each section receives targeted work.
- Shape dynamic contrast between sections to highlight the arrangement's twists; avoid a flat, uniform dynamic level that obscures Del Borgo's harmonic intentions.
How to use it
Place this on a winter concert alongside original holiday pops and more serious seasonal art music to show the full range of band literature. It also serves as an ideal closer for a program aimed at younger audiences, sending families out with recognizable melodies they've heard band members interpret thoughtfully.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and balancing harmonically complex voicings at Grade 2.5 level
- Executing phrase shapes across multiple carol sections with consistent musicality
- Coordinating rhythmic clarity when melodic content shifts between sections
- Sustaining intonation through harmonic twists and non-diatonic movement