Christmas Music
We recommend pairing one or more of the following works curated from Wise Music Classical’s music rental catalogue with The Snowman in Concert to create a full-evening program.
Longer Works (15-30 minutes)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Description: Music from the original 1966 television adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ iconic story.
Composer: Albert Hague
Duration: 30 min
Orchestration: 2.1+ca.2.1+cbn/2210/timp.perc/hp.pf(cel)/str + SATB
Description: Original music for author Chris Van Allsburg’s best-selling classic Christmas story. Projected illustrations from the original book available upon request from literary publisher.
Composer: Rob Kapilow
Duration: 22 min
Orchestration: Baritone + 2(pic).2.2.2/2230/2[+]perc/hp.pf(cel)/str + Children’s Chorus
Alternative Orchestration: 2(pic).0.2.1/2100/perc/pf/4vn.va.2vc.db
The Nutcracker Suite (for orchestra)
Description: Five movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet.
Composer: Tchaikovsky, arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, adapted for orchestra by Jeff Tyzik.
Duration: 17 min
Orchestration: 2.1+ca.2+bcl.asx(tsx).2/4331/dmkit/jazz bass/str
Description: Small orchestra arrangement of fourteen carols in four movements, including “Wassail Song,” “Coventry Carol,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (see full song list here). Band and choral arrangements also available.
Composer: Morton Gould
Duration: 15 min
Orchestration: 2(pic).2.2+bcl.2/2200/hp/str (22220)
Shorter Works (14 minutes and under)
Description: An original story about the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. The score features “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from the iconic ballet, eight variations of the dance in the style of different Russian composers, and additional music to depict the story co-written by the composer and James Lorick.
Composer: Lior Rosner
Duration: 14 min
Orchestration: Narrator + 2+pic.2+ca.2(ebcl)+bcl.2+cbn/4.3.3.1/timp.4perc/hp.pf(cel)/str(12.10.8.6.4)
Description: This orchestral variation on “The Twelve Days of Christmas” presents the twelve “gifts” as instrumental sections, each depicted as excerpts from recognizable classics of Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Rimsky-Korsakov and others.
Composer: Jeff Tyzik
Duration: 10 min
Orchestration: Soprano or Tenor + 222+bcl.2/4331/timp.2perc/pf(cel).hp/str
Amahl and the Night Visitors: Introduction, March, & Shepherd’s Dance
Description: Selections from the iconic one act opera for chamber orchestra.
Composer: Gian Carlo Menotti
Duration: 7 min
Orchestration: 1211/1100/perc/hp.pf/str
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch: Stealing Christmas
Description: Music from the 2018 animated film, Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.
Composer: Danny Elfman
Duration: 4 min
Orchestration: 2+pic.1+ca.2+bcl.2(cbn)/8.3.3+2btbn.tba(cimbasso)/timp.3perc.chimes.xylo.vib(theremin).bells(glock)/cel.hp/str + chorus
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch: A Wonderful Awful Idea
Description: Music from the 2018 animated film, Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.
Composer: Danny Elfman
Duration: 3 min
Orchestration: boy soprano + 3.1+ca.2+bcl.1+cbn/6.3.3+btbn.1/timp.3perc.theremin/cel.hp.pf.2org/str + chorus
A Christmas Overture (Variations on Deck the Halls)
Description: Perfect for holiday youth concerts, Tyzik’s overture uses a familiar carol to illustrate variation technique with the added bonus of a jazz bass providing rhythmic support. A version for brass band and percussion is also available.
Composer: Jeff Tyzik
Duration: 3 min
Orchestration: 2(pic)222/4331(opt. 2asx.1tsx.1bsx)/timp+perc.drum set/hp/str+jazz bass
New Year’s Eve (from “Union Station”)
Description: Use of New Year’s-style noisemakers and audience participation encouraged.
Composer: Rob Kapilow
Duration: 2.5 min
Orchestration: 3(pic).3(ca).2+bcl.2+cbn/4.3.2+btbn.1/3perc/pf/str (orchestra doubles on noisemakers)
