Holiday Pops for 2020 Wednesday, November 04, 2020
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Bring some fun to your holiday performances, whether in-person or virtual!
Bring Me Love arr. Ed Lojeski, SATB with piano & optional rhythm
From John Legend’s Christmas album “Legendary Christmas,” here is an easy rock shuffle and secular song for the holiday season. Lending itself to lush choral writing this up beat song will leave everyone smiling.
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy arr. Mark Brymer, SATB with piano & optional rhythm, or a cappella
Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet remains a holiday fixture due in large part to its haunting timbre and instantly recognizable musical motifs. Pentatonix arranged a Grammy winning a cappella version in 2014, and this choir adaptation captures the mysterious, moody feel of source material.
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! arr. Mark Hayes, SATB divisi a cappella
This sparkling and sophisticated a cappella arrangement is delightful from start to finish. Sprinkled with divisi jazz harmonies throughout, the middle transitions to a light and lovely waltz, which leads to an expressive final verse before returning to the original swing tempo for a grand finale. An impressive wintertime feature!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas arr. Jay Althouse, SATB with piano
It’s been covered by everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Muppets, but the classic heartfelt Christmas ballad was originally composed for none other than Judy Garland. Jay Althouse retains the timeless and unaffected character of the original song in this no-nonsense arrangement, evoking warm feelings and a touch of nostalgia.
The Holiday Season arr. Mark Hayes, SATB with piano & optional combo
Written by the legendary Kay Thompson, this swingin’ song of the season is most closely associated with singer Andy Williams’s now-iconic 1963 Christmas album. Mark Hayes gives it the full Hollywood treatment in this show-stopping arrangement, including a flashy piano part and a no-holds-barred instrumental accompaniment. Not to be missed!
Rudolph on the Housetop arr. Kirby Shaw, SATB with piano & optional combo
Here are two classic, secular Christmas tunes in a mash up. Laced with humor and good fun, singers and listeners alike won’t be able to stop smiling with this energetic anthem. Includes “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Up on the Housetop.”
A Marshmallow World (with The Candy Man) arr. Mark Hayes, SSA with piano & optional combo
What a sweet new arrangement blending these two popular pieces, one from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the other first made famous by Bing Crosby, casting them into a choral holiday spotlight! It’s a light, bouncy, and swinging arrangement that will sooth the holiday sweet tooth of your audience for sure!
Sparklejollytwinklejingley (from Elf) arr. Andy Beck, TTBB with piano & optional combo
Here’s a delightfully cheerful showstopper from the Broadway musical “Elf,” based on the Will Ferrell film. The whimsical words and merry music are guaranteed to put a smile on every face this Christmas. Splashy holiday entertainment with razzmatazz to spare!
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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.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!