recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists

Whether you’re planning for an in-person, remote, or virtual holiday performance, we recommend these exciting new arrangements to inspire you and your students!

for High School Choir
Joy to the World! arr. Matt Podd, SSATB with piano
It’s a high-energy, gospel-infused take on one of the most treasured Christmas carols of all time. Riveting rhythmic syncopation, triadic Choral harmonies that climb in inversion, and plenty of melodic blue notes all add up to…well, sheer joy! Your Piano player really gets to show off on the fully notated riff-like accompaniment. Plus, you can download free bass and drumset parts for the full effect. Not to be missed!

Snow on Snow (In the Bleak Midwinter) arr. Ruth Elaine Schram, SATB with piano
This beautiful work creates a mood of wonder, mystery, and anticipation of the solitude and serenity on that first Christmas night. Lush harmonies and an original section comprising cascading vocal lines complement Holst’s melody, and the Christina Rossetti text sparkles with the wonder of the season. An artistic piano accompaniment brings new motives and fluid support to the choral lines.

Deck the Hall arr. Philip Lawson, SATB with piano
“Deck the Hall” for a new age of choir, this mixed-meter, multiple-genre quoting version of “Deck the Hall” is completely fresh and fantastically nimble. Available for both mixed and women’s choirs, arranger Philip Lawson has had some fun here, subverting expectations to create something wholly original!

When Angels Sing by Mark Miller, SATB with piano
Mark Miller’s pastoral melody and harmonies help to usher in the deep peace of a Christmas where we pause to listen. A beautiful, accessible work that is appropriate for both church services and winter concerts.

Dormi, Jesu by Mark Burrows, SATB with piano and optional string quartet
Here is a traditional Latin Christmas text beautifully set. Both the joy and the passion of the newborn baby is captured in this lush new composition. An optional string quartet is available to add sparkle to your program.

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine arr. Lloyd Pfautsch, SATB with piano (opt. a cappella)
Effective when performed a cappella, this arrangement of the much-loved German carol also includes an optional piano accompaniment to enhance its flowing beauty and to support the singers. Comfortable vocal ranges, thoughtful voice leading, and repeated sections all spell success for your choir.

Masters in This Hall arr. Mark Burrows, SATB with piano and optional hand drum
Piano and optional hand drum accompany this French melody and adapted Morris text. Vocal lines build excitement to the first strains of the familiar melody. Individual and unison singing weave within full harmonic writing creating an incredibly energetic work for the holidays.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Victor C. Johnson, SATB with piano
Robert Frost’s beloved poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” sings beautifully in this exquisite seasonal ballad. The contemplative text and lush choral harmonies will undoubtedly showcase the artistry and musicality of your ensembles while creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility during the winter season.

Walking in the Air arr. John Leavitt, SATB with piano and optional strings & percussion
Raymond Briggs’ 1978 children’s picture book about a snowman come to life was made into a celebrated half-hour animated film in 1982. For the sequence in which the snowman flies with a boy named James to the north pole, Howard Blake composed this haunting, minor-chord driven theme, layered with images of nature, mountains, forests and streams. Don’t miss your chance to program this beautiful song with the accompanying string and percussion parts.

for A Cappella Ensembles
All Is Well arr. Jamey Ray, SATB divisi a cappella
From Voctave’s album “The Spirit of the Season” featuring soloist Tiffany Coburn, this Christmas favorite is sure to be a success this holiday season. Lush, beautiful, and great for large choirs, “All is Well” will be a big hit with musicians and audiences alike!

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep arr. Kirby Shaw, SATB a cappella
This Irving Berlin classic from the 1954 movie classic “White Christmas” receives a fresh and jazzy treatment. This is a perfect selection for your jazz choir to add to your Christmas/Winter concert or anytime at all.

for Treble Choir
Blow, blow, thou winter wind by Sarah Quartel, SSA with piano
This atmospheric setting of familiar words from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” is sprightly and uplifting, with singers being asked by the composer to perform with ‘a bit of frost and a knowing smile’. “Blow, blow, thou winter wind” was originally published in the collection “Hark, hark, the lark.”

The Work of Christmas by Dan Forrest, SSAA with piano
The beautiful, thoughtful, a cappella Satb chorus setting of the Howard Thurman text is now available arranged for SSAA Choir with piano and TTBB Choir with piano. It offers the challenge to live out the Christmas story in very practical ways.

for Tenor/Bass Ensembles
Chantons Noel arr. Mark Patterson, TTBB with piano and optional djembe & finger cymbals
A thrilling piece for holiday concerts for tenor-bass choirs! Layered choral entrances in a fanfare-like introduction set up the entrance to the traditional French carol “Noel Nouvelet.” Conservative ranges for each part are supported well by the driving piano accompaniment along with the optional drum and finger cymbals. Perform in French, with a pronunciation guide and translation provided, or use the singable English text for accessibility. Impressive!

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About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!