GROOVE King Wenceslas: More Holiday Titles for Strings Wednesday, October 01, 2025
recommended by Austin Swack, Instrumental Education Specialist
Groove King Wenceslas arr. Aaron Fryklund, Grade 1
Get your groove on with the Good King to rock around the Christmas tree! This twist on the favorite holiday carol gets a fun beat from the optional drum set as the original festive melody is transformed in funky E minor. Players get to practice easy notes and finger patterns with lots of unison rhythms and doubling of sections for a big, full sound. Light up the concert hall with this toe-tapping winter concert feature.
In Dulci Jubilo arr. Larry Clark, Grade 1.5
A truly accessible 1.5 arrangement of this Christmastime classic, brought to life by arranger Larry Clark. Everyone in the orchestra gets a moment to shine, and the composed intro material is sure to be an earworm! This piece is a winner for their first concert of the year!
Gesu Bambino arr. Erik Morales, Grade 3
The melody of the beloved holiday carol “Gesu Bambino” flows effortlessly throughout the ensemble with this fresh adaptation of a timeless classic. This arrangement by Erik Morales is the perfect choice to set the mood at your next holiday concert and bring an enduring sense of peace to your audience.
Galician Carol arr. Joe Derhake, Grade 3
Situated in the northwest corner of modern Spain, Galicia is an autonomous region and distinct nationality under Spanish law. It was Celtic land for about 1000 years until it was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 19 BC. This carol reflects both the Celtic and Hispanic heritage of the Galician people. While the opening tune fairly resembles an Irish jig, the key change to minor and the accompaniment of castanets and tambourine displays the distinct Hispanic influence. Traditionally the tune is often played on the Galician gaita, the generic term for Spanish bagpipes, which has drone and chanter pipes like its Irish and Scottish cousins. This arrangement includes a part for optional tambourine and castanets which can be performed by a single percussionist. Careful consideration was taken in scoring interesting parts for all players and every instrument in the orchestra plays significant sections of the melody.
Jingle Through the Night by Mekel Rogers, Grade 1.5
What happens during the holidays after all the children go to sleep? The elves come out to party through the night. “Jingle Through the Night” takes several holiday favorites and reimagines them in minor modes, giving the usually jolly tunes a darker midnight feel. Pay close attention to the various changes of style and dynamics throughout the work for maximum effect. Be sure to bring out the low string melody beginning at measure 22. Consider adding sleigh bells or even haunting sound effects to enhance the ambiance.
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About the Author:
Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!