John Purifoy has built a reputation as an arranger who understands what works in the rehearsal room and on stage. His arrangements for SSA and SSAA voicings prioritize singability without sacrificing musical interest, making him a trusted name among directors programming for treble choirs.
Why we love this
Purifoy's medley approach gives you substantial choral content in a single seven-page package, perfect for directors who need festive material without overwhelming rehearsal schedules. The SSA/SSAA flexibility means you can program this with confidence whether you're working with a smaller ensemble or have the option to expand voicing on select movements.
What to expect
A medley captures the cumulative warmth and joy of recognizable holiday material, moving between moments of intimacy and celebration. The SSA voicing sits naturally for treble voices, allowing singers to focus on expressive phrasing rather than vocal strain.
Who it's for
Directors building a holiday concert program need accessible yet musically satisfying octavos that don't demand excessive rehearsal time. This works equally well for high school treble choirs, community choruses, or advanced middle school singers seeking repertoire with genuine harmonic substance.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the melodic lines across the three parts; many holiday medleys bury engaging countermelodies in the middle voice that deserve to sing through.
Commit to clear sectional transitions between movements. Purifoy's arrangements typically signpost these moments, so use tempo or texture shifts to help the audience follow the journey.
Lock in the rhythmic precision early in rehearsals, especially if the medley includes syncopation or rhythmic figures common in holiday repertoire.
How to use it
Slot this as a centerpiece for your winter concert's second half, when audiences are primed for the familiar comfort of holiday favorites. A seven-page medley also serves as a strong anchor for a full choral concert program, giving you room to pair it with contrasting secular or sacred pieces.
Skills your students will build
Managing sectional transitions within a longer medley structure
Balancing three independent voice parts in close harmony
Interpreting stylistic shifts between contrasting melodic ideas
Sustaining ensemble focus across multiple musical phrases and movements
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