CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Yuletide, the season to be jolly, the festive season — it’s all about the same thing, celebrating with friends and family. Nothing could be more festive than attending a holiday concert together and hearing the music we all know and love. The arrangements on this page will make the songs you choose for any holiday musical event memorable. There are more Christmas Songs on the Natalie Cole page.

SONGS

Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

By William J. Kirkpatrick, Carl Mueller and James R. Murray
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: D
INSTRUMENTATION:
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

By Amy Grant & Chris Eaton
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: D-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 3,1(EH),0,1 / 3,0,3,0 / Perc:[Vibes, SusCym,] / Kbd(Celesta), Harp / Strings
From the Andy Williams collection. Originally sung on his TV show by Andy and his brothers. According to Wikipedia, the song’s authors, “married at the time wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Regney had been invited by a record producer to write a Christmas song, but he was hesitant due to the commercialism of Christmas.

Music by Gloria Shayne, Lyrics by Noël Regney
Arranged by Robert Mersey
KEY: starts in C, ends in D-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 0,0,0,0 / 2,3,3,0 / Timp, Drums, Perc:[Chimes, Finger Cymbals, Glock] / Guitar, Piano / Strings

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Kay Thompson
Orchestrated by Eddie Karam
KEY: C-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Fl, Alto Fl, Cl, BsCl / 1,4,3,0 / Perc:[Chimes, Jingle Bells, Glock) / Dr, Gtr, ElecBs / Harp, Piano / Strings (Violins, Violas, Cellos, DB)
Orchestration created for Andy Williams
At this moment I can’t find a recording of this symphonic version
Music by Felix Mendelssohn& Lyrics by Charles Wesley
Arranger: Ken Thorne; Orchestrated by Patrick Russ
KEY: G-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 3,2,3(3rd=BsCl),2 / 4,4,3,1 / Perc:[Chimes, Glock] / Strings / Piano/Conductor & Score  (OPT: Piano,Drums,Guitar)
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook

Music and Lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: G
INSTRUMENTATION: R1:AltoFl; R2:EH; R3:CL; R4:BsCl; R5:Bsn / 3,0,3(III=BsTbn) / Drums, Perc:[Glock, Vibes, SusCym] / Guitar, Kbd(Celesta), Harp / Strings

Music by Walter Kent, Lyrics by James “Kim” Gannon
Orchestration: Allyn Ferguson
KEY: E-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 3 Flutes, 1 Alto Flute,B-flat Contrabass Clarinet / 1 Horn, 2 Fluegels, 3 Trombones / Piano (Harpsichord), 12-String Guitar, Bass Gtr, Drums, Perc[Bean Bag, Bells, Triangle] / Harp, Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
This score was performed by Andy Williams and the young Osmond brothers on one of Andy’s television shows. It can be done as a solo.

Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson
Arranger unknown
KEY: Starts in A-flat Major then after several modulations ends up in E-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: R1: Flute, R2: Picc, Flute, R3: Oboe, Flute, R4: Clarinet, Flute, R5: Clarinet, ContraBs Clar, / 1,4,3,0 / Drums, Perc:[Chimes, Bells] / Guitar, Piano, Harp / Vlns, Vlas, Vc, Bs
Orchestration created for Andy Wlliams

Music and Lyrics by Tommie Connor
Orchestrated by Ken Thorne
KEY: C-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: Coming Soon

By Edward Pola & George Wyle
Orchestrated by Ken Thorne
KEY: D modulating to E-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Fl, Picc, 2 Ob/EH, 2 BbClar, BsCl, 2 Bsns; 4 FrHns, 3 Tpts, 2 TenTbn, BsTbn, Tuba; 2 Perc (Glk, Chimes) Dr, Gtr, Fend, Pno, Hp; Strings (Vlns, Vlas, Vcs, Bs)

By James Pierpont & Kay Thompson
Arranged by Kay Thompson, Orchestration reconstructed by Mark Lopeman
KEY: Starts in F, ends in A-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 2(II=Picc),2,2,2 / 4,4,3,0 / Drums, Guitar / Perc:[Bells, Tamb, Chimes, Sleigh Bells, WB] / Piano, Electric Bass / Vln, Vla, VC, DB)
Originally performed by Andy Williams and his brothers on Andy’s television show, it can be done as a solo, a duet, or in whatever combination of singers you have.

Arranged by Billy Byers
KEY: G-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Soprano Saxes, 1 Alto Sax, 1 Tenor Sax, 2 Clarinets / 4,2,1,1 / Percussion, Harp, Banjo, Tack Piano (featured) / Strings
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: C-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Fl, Oboe, Alto Sax, E-flat ContrabassClarinet / 3,0,3,0 / Drums, Harp, Guitar, Keyboard / Perc:[Vibes, Glock, Triangle, Sus.Cym.] / Strings
For Choir or Soloist and Choir

Written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller
Arranged and Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: C-Major modulating to D-flat-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 3,3(3rd=EH,3(3rd=BsClar),3 / 4,3,3(3rd=BsTbn,0 / Timp, Perc:[Vibes, Glock, SusCym, Snare, Piatti] / Harp / Strings[Vln I, Vln II, Vla, Vc I, VC II, DB
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

Music by Dick Charles (pseudonym of Richard Charles Krieg), Lyrics by Larry Markes
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: F-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 1,1,2,1 / 3,0,3,0 / Timp, Drums, Perc:[Vibes,Glock] / Guitar, Kbd(Celesta), Harp / Strings / Choir
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook

Music by David Foster, Lyrics by Linda Thompson-Jenner
Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEYS: F (Soprano), C (lower)
INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, 4 Fr.Horns, Kbd, ElecBs, Drums, Strings (Vlns, Vlas, Cellos, DB)
Orchestration created for Andy Wlliams

Music and Lyrics are sometimes credited to John Francis Wade
Arranged by Ernie Freeman
KEY: A-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 3,3(3rd=EH),3(3rd+BsCl,3 / 4,3,3,1 / Perc:[Glock, Vibes,Timp.] / Harpsichord, Strings / Piano/Conduitor (no score)
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook

Music and Lyrics by Adolphe Charles Adam
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: A-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 1,1,2,1 / 4,0,3,0 / Perc:[Tri,Chimes,Sus.Cym.,Timp.] / Harp, Strings / String Synth / Vocal & Choir
I have been unable (so far) to find a recording. I’m still looking!
Music by Philip Springer, Lyrics by Joan Javits
Arranged by Don Pippin, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: F (soprano)
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clar, Bs.Clar, 2 Bsns, 4 Horns, 3 Tpts, 3 Tbns, Tuba, Drs, Perc:[Xylo, Glock], Timp, Harp, Kbd, Strings (Violins, Violas, Cellos, ContraBs)

Music by Philip Springer, Lyrics by Joan Javits
Arranged by Don Pippin, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: F (soprano)
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clar, Bs.Clar, 2 Bsns, 4 Horns, 3 Tpts, 3 Tbns, Tuba, Drs, Perc:[Xylo, Glock], Timp, Harp, Kbd, Strings (Violins, Violas, Cellos, ContraBs)
This is from an Andy Williams TV show, and on his commercial recordings.

Music by J. Fred Coots, Lyrics by Haven Gillespie
Arranged by Ken Thorne
KEY: E-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: R1:Picc; R2:Flute; R3:Oboe; R4:Clar; R5:BsClar / 0,4,3,0 / Drs, Perc:[Bells] / Guitar, Piano, Rhythm Bass, Harp / Strings (Violins, Violas, Cellos, ContraBs)
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

Music by Joseph Mohr, Lyrics by Franz Gruber
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: A-flat Major modulating to A-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 1(Alto Flute),1,2,1 / 3,0,3,0 / Drums, Perc:[Triangle,Glock] / Guitar, Kbd(Celesta), Harp / Strings / Choir
From the Andy Williams collection

Music by Jay Livingston, Lyrics by Ray Evans
Arranged & Orchestrated by Robert Mersey
KEY: B-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 Horns, 12-String Guitar, Piano (Harpsichord?), Drums, Glock, Harp, Strings

Music by Leroy Anderson, Lyrics by Mitchell Parish
Orchestration:
KEY:
INSTRUMENTATION:
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook.

By Carl Sigman and Mickey J. Addy
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: B-flat
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,1,1,1 / 3,0,3,0 / Drums, Perc:[Glock] / Guitar, opt.Piano, Harp / Strings
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook

By Mel Tormé & Robert Wells
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: starts in A-flat, modulates to B-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 1(Alto Flute),1,2,1 / 3,0,3,0 / Drums, Perc:[Vibes,Glock,Crotales,SusCym,MarkTree] / Guitar, Kbd(Celesta), Harp / Strings

Music by Jimmy Van Heusen, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
ARRANGER: John Oddo
KEY:
INSTRUMENTATION:

Music and Lyrics by Frederick Silver
Arranged by Don Pippin, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: D Major modulating to E-flat Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,2,3(III=BsCl),2 / 4,3,3,1 / TImp, Perc:[Glock, Xylo, Tri, SusCym] / Harp, Strings
We couldn’t locate an audio recording with this orchestration.
When it was part of Newton Wayland’s rental library, it was rented often!
Music and Lyrics by Frederick Silver
Orchestrated by Newton Wayland
KEY: Starts in E, ends in G
INSTRUMENTATION: 3 Fl (III. dbl Picc), 3 (III.=EH), 3 (I & II in A & B-flat, III.=BsClar in A & B-flat), 3(III.=Contrabsn) / 4,3,3,1 / Timp, Perc:[Chimes, Xylo, Vibes, Glock, Tri (hi & low), Snare, Tenor Drum, Bs Drum, Sus.Cym, Slide Whistle] / Piano(Celeste), Harp / Strings / Vocal Score [no orchestral score]
From the Andy Williams collection.

AUTHORSHIP: According to Wikipedia, “A large number of different melodies have been associated with the song, of which the best known is derived from a 1909 arrangement of a traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin.” Austin also wrote the words, but they have been changed with many variations.
Arranged by George Wyle
KEY: Starts in F, modulates in 1/2 steps and ends in G
INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, Guitar, Drums, Bells / Strings, Piano-Conductor, Score, Vocal parts
Orchestration created for Barbara Cook

Music by Felix Bernard, Lyrics by Richard B. Smith
Arranged by Wally Harper, Orchestrated by Larry Blank
KEY: Starts in A-Major, modulates to B-Major and ends in C-Major
INSTRUMENTATION: 2,1,2(2nd=BsCl),1 / 3,0,3(3rd is BsTbn),0 / Drum Kit, Perc:[Sleigh Bells, Vibes, Tri, Chimes or Glock] / Piano, Guitar, Harp, REAL Celesta / Strings

ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS


INSTRUMENTATION: 3(3=Piccolo),2(2=Cor Anglais),2,2/4,2,2,1/Timp, 2 Percussion[Glock, Tri, Chimes, Tabor(or High TomTom), Song Bells(ad lib)]/Celesta (ad lib), Harp, Strings & Choir