Holiday Music for String Orchestra Monday, October 05, 2020
recommended by Megan W., Orchestra Specialist
Rock, waltz, or swing your holiday season!
We Wish You a Cha-Cha Christmas arr. Carrie Lane Gruselle, Grade 1.5
19th century England meets 1950s Cuba in this clever Latin-style arrangement of a traditional carol! Optional percussion creates an authentic Latin sound as the orchestra celebrates the holidays in true cha-cha fashion.
TEACH: swing style, 4/4 “cha-cha-cha” dance step, key of G, occasional accidentals
ORCHESTRATION: lower strings shine as much as upper strings
PERFORMANCE: medley of favorite holiday tunes
A Hanukkah Prayer of Thanks arr. Susan H. Day, Grade 1.5
A unique Hanukkah selection, this piece embodies traditional Jewish music with its haunting melodies. In 4/4 time throughout, using easy rhythms, lifts, tremolo, a few two-note slurs, and ties, along with some cello divisi. The viola part doubles the 2nd violin and the cello doubles the bass. This is an excellent teaching piece for dotted-quarter-note rhythms. The prayer “Al Hanissim” is sung or read at Hanukkah, expressing thanks for the miracles that have been bestowed upon the people’s ancestors. “A Hanukkah Prayer of Thanks” by Susan H. Day will convey a sense of the season.
TEACH: high 2s, lifts, tremolos, 2 note slurs, ties, cello divisi, dotted-quarter-note rhythms
ORCHESTRATION: chin strings and lower strings each have unison rhythms
PERFORMANCE: alternative holiday title
Waltz of the Carols arr. Sean O’Louglin, Grade 1.5
Introduce your students to 3/4 time with this clever mash-up of Christmas carols in waltz style. Each section has a turn to shine with the melody, perfect for parents to get a good shot of their little ones at their Christmas concert.
TEACH: waltz style, tempo changes
ORCHESTRATION: active parts
PERFORMANCE: familiar style and holiday tunes blended
A Little Winter Night Music arr. Kathryn Griesinger, Grade 2.5
Your favorite classical themes about winter and night, neatly combined into one festive piece of winter concert music! Bookended with the familiar strains of Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” this arrangement weaves through traditional seasonal favorites like Vivald’s “Winter” from The Four Seasons, Holst’s “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and themes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. The unchanging tempo and simplified rhythms allow young players to seamlessly play through a veritable hall of fame of composers from every era.
TEACH: staccato, triplets, lyrical sections
ORCHESTRATION: Classical style
PERFORMANCE: blend of traditional Christmas and “A Little Night Music”
Midnight Christmas Eve by Paul O’Neill/arr. Bob Phillips, Grade 3
Imagine the quiet, the anticipation, the tree, and all the lights as Christmas Eve becomes Christmas, and you will have the feel of this beautiful rock ballad, “Midnight Christmas Eve.” As seen in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra stage show “The Christmas Attic,” this lyric piece will add depth to any holiday or winter concert. Though an easy piece for high school orchestras, the optional electric violin and guitar parts provide the perfect chance to feature an electric instrument and a more advanced player. If you haven’t seen TSO, check it out online and then share this one with your students. Perhaps include a field trip to see the band live with lights and effects.
TEACH: rock style, viola feature
ORCHESTRATION: drumset, slow jam
PERFORMANCE: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
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About the Author:
Megan W., originally from Pittsburgh PA, is happy to call Columbus and Stanton’s Sheet Music “Home.” As a musician, Megan has played in marching and concert bands, youth orchestras, full orchestras, small ensembles, and a few choirs. Her interests include fiddling, reading, writing, martial arts and yoga.