Ding Dong Merrily on High

This arrangement of the popular carol Ding Dong Merrily on High is the first published work by BrookWright Music of English arranger Stephen Tighe. This accessible setting receives a fresh, rhythmic treatment, aided by the use of sleigh bells and tubular bells.

The tune itself first appeared as a secular dance tune known under the title Branle de l’Official in Orchésographie, a dance book written by the French cleric, composer and writer Jehan Tabourot (1519–1593). The carol was first published in 1924 in his The Cambridge Carol-Book: Being Fifty-two Songs for Christmas, Easter, and Other Seasons. Woodward took an interest in church bell ringing, which no doubt aided him in writing it. The macaronic style is characteristic of Woodward’s delight in archaic poetry. 

Difficulty Level: 4th Section +

Instrumentation:

Soprano Cornet Eb

Solo Cornet Bb

Repiano Cornet Bb

2nd Cornet Bb

3rd Cornet Bb

Flugel Horn Bb

Solo Horn Eb

1st Horn Eb

2nd Horn Eb

1st Baritone Bb

2nd Baritone Bb

1st Trombone Bb

2nd Trombone Bb

Bass Trombone

Euphonium Bb

Bass Eb

Bass Bb

Timpani

Sleigh Bells

Drum Kit

Tubular Bells (or Glockenspiel)