A Very PTX Christmas Friday, November 10, 2017
recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!! Pentatonix is THE hot a cappella group, and their creative vocal style brings great variety to a holiday choral program. All of these new arrangements are very nicely adapted for high school ensembles – ranges are generally appropriate (basses may stretch a little out of their comfort zones; try adding an electric bass for support, or mic them!), and most can be performed entirely a cappella or with the well-crafted supportive accompaniments.
A Pentatonix Christmas (Medley) arr. Mark Brymer
The Pentatonix Christmas albums are among their most popular. This 7.5-minute medley combines four of their recent holiday hits for a wonderful seasonal showcase for pop, jazz and concert choirs. Includes: “Coventry Carol,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays arr. Roger Emerson
From the 2016 album “A Pentatonix Christmas,” the popular vocal group puts their unique stamp on the 1998 holiday song by NSYNC. Recreate the rhythmic groove of this upbeat song a cappella or with the optional rhythm track.
New Year’s Day arr. Jacob Narverud
This warm and creative original song comes from the 2015 album release “Pentatonix.” This fantastic arrangement can be done a cappella but allows for optional accompaniment so that choirs can use simple synthesizer, percussion and bass to enhance their performance.
O Come, All Ye Faithful arr. Jacob Narverud
Get into the holiday spirit with this stand-out arrangement which reached No. 2 on Billboard 200. Set a cappella, it includes optional piano accompaniment and percussion making a fresh new take on the timeless carol and sure to be a holiday staple year after year.
Find more holiday pops on our website, and remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.
Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.
