All Titles • Secular Holiday • Sacred Holiday • SSAA Holiday
Holiday Selections for SATB
Favorite carols and songs, thoughtfully arranged for mixed chorus, a cappella, and with a variety of accompaniments, from piano to full orchestra.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A beautiful, sparkling, jazz-inflected arrangement of a much-loved holiday song, for SATB (with divisi) a cappella, with short alto and tenor solos.
Silent Night, arr. Ryan James Brandau
The quintessential carol, in a lush, glowing setting, with lovely moving lines for all voice parts. Optional solo or soli in second verse.
Auld Lang Syne, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A warm and especially moving arrangement of the Scottish ballad for New Year’s Eve, which combines the beautiful but lesser known second tune with the well known first tune. Perfect as a penultimate piece or encore.
Still, Still, Still Silent Night, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A gorgeous, serene arrangement that combines two much loved Austrian/German carols, first in alternation and then in counterpoint. Optional solo in the second verse of Silent Night for a soprano, treble, soli, or treble chorus. A perfect centerpiece for a carols service or concert.
O Holy Night, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A sweeping setting of Adolphe Adam’s beloved Cantique de Noël, in English translation, with a variety of accompaniments, from full orchestra to just piano or guitar. Full orchestra version includes optional introduction of “Silent Night” as English horn solo.
Wassail, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A an irresistibly jolly setting of the Gloucester Wassail, with a vigorous (but playable!) fiddle-inspired accompaniment that builds throughout the arrangement and finally bursts into a spirited jig. Loads of fun for orchestra, chorus, and audience alike, this one is sure to have everyone’s toes tapping! Works well as a run-up to Auld Lang Syne.
I Saw Three Ships, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A sparklingly, imaginatively orchestrated setting of this jolly, lilting carol. Builds to a joyous, uplifting close. Features each section of the choir and can include children's chorus. Two scorings available: full orchestra and small ensemble of harp, trumpets, English horn, tin whistle (or flute, piccolo, or violin), and cello.
Deck the Hall, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A festive, jubilant setting that teases the ear with quotes of Joy to the World and Jingle Bells. Works well as an opener, and can run, attacca, into I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
Jingle Bells, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A bright and ebullient setting of an indispensable holiday classic. Can be performed as an orchestral work, or with SATB, or as a singalong.
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, arr. Ryan James Brandau
The gentle, lulling traditional Polish carol, in English, both a cappella and in several orchestral and chamber orchestral scorings. Richly harmonized, the carol builds to a sumptuous apex before closing peacefully. Accompanied versions feature lovely woodwind solos.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A majestic, Romantic setting of Longfellow’s “Christmas Day,” for SATB, baritone solo, and orchestra. Interludes between verses feature poignant solos in the orchestra, and the final verse builds to a Mahler-inspired climax. A magnificent vehicle for an operatic or musical theater baritone.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A haunting and majestic arrangement combining two classical holiday carols in counterpoint. Works beautifully as a concert opener, and/or processional.
O Come All Ye Faithful - Fanfare and Singalong, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A rousing, majestic fanfare and setting of John Francis Wade’s classic carol, for orchestra with audience/congregation singalong or unison chorus. Segues perfectly into Gesu Bambino, which quotes “o come, let us adore him.”
Gesu Bambino, arr. Ryan James Brandau
A sparkling, shimmering setting of Pietro Yon’s classic, which combines a beautiful Siciliana with the refrain of Adeste Fideles. An excellent showcase for a soprano soloist. “O come let us adore him” sections can be sung by a second chorus or children’s chorus.
Joy to the World: a Christmas Suite (one- or two-act, full concert version)
Ryan James Brandau interweaves his innovative, beautifully orchestrated carol arrangements with your choice of holiday selections from Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Bach’s Magnificat, and/or Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Check out the existing versions below, create your own using the titles you want!
Joy to the World: a Christmas Suite (13-min version)
This festive, rousing medley opens with the first verse of Joy to the World, dazzles with Deck the Hall, lifts our hearts with a majestic setting of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, touches us with a tender version of Auld Lang Syne, and closes with a We Wish You a Merry Christmas interwoven with the last two verses of Joy to the World. This exuberant arrangement is sure to bring your holiday program to a brilliant close and bring your holiday audiences to their feet.