Product Description
81st Edition Program Notes
- No. 348 Sweet Chiming Christmas Bells ᄀᆰ Anon., Arr. William Himes
- Program Note
- Nahum Tate's (1652-1715) Christmas carol, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night is based on the account of the annunciation to the shepherds found in Luke 2:8-14. Although it has been sung to several tunes over the centuries, none is more charming or popular than this folk tune from Yorkshire, UK.
- Note to the Conductor
- An irony for bands during Christmas is that December is the most demanding time of the year ᄀᆰ with the least time to rehearse! That said, this festive but straightforward setting should come together quickly with few technical demands.
- No. 349 The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy ᄀᆰ West Indian Carol, Arr. Dorothy Gates (ASCAP)
- Program Note
- This arrangement of the traditional, and ever popular Wet Indian carol captures all the energy of the original, and then some. It combines the relaxed Caribbean style with just a hint of Motown. Guaranteed to get toes tapping and maybe even give us a glimpse of that, "glorious Kingdom".
- Note to the Conductor
- Style is the most important aspect of this arrangement.
- No. 350 O Little Town ᄀᆰ Lewis H. Redner, Arr. Michael Davis
- Program Note
- A Pastoral based on the Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, by the Harvard educated Philip Brooks. This gentle setting reflects the words found in the text.
- No. 351 In a Manger ᄀᆰ William James Kirkpatrick, Arr. Craig Woodland
- Program Note
- This carol setting is based on the traditional English melody of the familiar carol Away in a Manger. Two verses are presented before the music builds to a joyful rendition of the third verse. The arrangement concludes with a melodic statement of Sing lullaby, from the Basque carol, The Infant King.
- Note to the Conductor
- This carol setting should be very useful and playable by most band ensembles.