Christmas Music for Chorus and Orchestra
Most of the pieces below were commissioned by major symphony orchestras and are professional-level difficulty for the chorus and orchestra. Some include sections for solo voice, and many have parts for treble children's choir (though often performed with adult females when children are unavailable). Scores and parts are available as rentals, and most selections are available for purchase (either a physical set, or digital PDF files for do-it-yourself printing).
CLICK ON A TITLE IN THE LIST BELOW TO HEAR RECORDINGS AND GET MORE DETAILS:
CLICK ON A TITLE IN THE LIST BELOW TO HEAR RECORDINGS AND GET MORE DETAILS:
ANGELS AND BELLS - closer
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH - slow and beautiful
CAROL OF THE BIRDS - Catalonian carol
CELTIC JOY (see "A World of Joy" below)
A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES - extended work
CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO - original carol for Chicago Symphony
A CHRISTMAS GLORIA - original work, brassy and majestic
(Also available in version for brass, organ, and percussion)
CHRISTMAS MORNING - original children's feature
THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS - original humorous patter song in G&S style
(Also available in version for soloist plus children)
DECK THE HALL - brass feature, second half opener
(Also available in reduced instrumentation instrumental version)
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? - impressionistic setting
HOLY NIGHT OF ANGELS - closer
(Also available in TTBB chorus version)
I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY - closer
I WONDER AS I WANDER (see "Old American Carols" below)
JORNADAS (Journeys) - three Spanish carols
JOY! - closer
JOYFUL CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS (see "Sing the Carols of Christmas" below)
A MERRY OLDE CHRISTMAS - opener
MY DANCING DAY, ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT - closer
THE NATIVITY - for narration from Luke Chapter 2 (purchase only, $50)
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL - unusual quiet opening, grand ending
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL - processional
O HOLY NIGHT - grand and glorious
(Also available in version for brass choir/quintet, piano 4-hands, percussion)
OLD AMERICAN CAROLS - closer
(Also available: "I Wonder As I Wander" as stand-alone piece)
SANTA CLAUS: THE OPERA - extended opera spoof
SANTA, YOU DA MAN - whimsical number for children's chorus and small orchestra
SING THE CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS - audience singalong
(Also available as "Joyful Carols of Christmas" with "Joy to the World"
instead of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" as the opening song)
SING WE JOYOUS! - audience singalong
SNOW AT CHRISTMAS - original children's choir feature
SONG IN OUR HEARTS - original closer, baritone solo and chorus
(Also available in TTBB chorus version)
SONGS IN THE AIR - closer
SOUNDS OF JOY - first act closer combining "Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy" and "Joy to the World"
STILL, STILL, STILL - ethereal contemporary treatment of familiar carol (strings, harp, SATB chorus)
THREE EUROPEAN CAROLS - English, German, French carols
THE TWELFTH ELF - original children's feature
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - opener or encore
WEXFORD PROCESSIONAL - beautiful, contemplative mood for orchestra only
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? - dramatic treatment, optional audience sing-along
A WORLD OF JOY - world music "Joy to the World"
(Also available: "Celtic Joy" (final movement only), suitable for closer or encore)
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH - slow and beautiful
CAROL OF THE BIRDS - Catalonian carol
CELTIC JOY (see "A World of Joy" below)
A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES - extended work
CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO - original carol for Chicago Symphony
A CHRISTMAS GLORIA - original work, brassy and majestic
(Also available in version for brass, organ, and percussion)
CHRISTMAS MORNING - original children's feature
THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS - original humorous patter song in G&S style
(Also available in version for soloist plus children)
DECK THE HALL - brass feature, second half opener
(Also available in reduced instrumentation instrumental version)
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? - impressionistic setting
HOLY NIGHT OF ANGELS - closer
(Also available in TTBB chorus version)
I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY - closer
I WONDER AS I WANDER (see "Old American Carols" below)
JORNADAS (Journeys) - three Spanish carols
JOY! - closer
JOYFUL CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS (see "Sing the Carols of Christmas" below)
A MERRY OLDE CHRISTMAS - opener
MY DANCING DAY, ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT - closer
THE NATIVITY - for narration from Luke Chapter 2 (purchase only, $50)
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL - unusual quiet opening, grand ending
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL - processional
O HOLY NIGHT - grand and glorious
(Also available in version for brass choir/quintet, piano 4-hands, percussion)
OLD AMERICAN CAROLS - closer
(Also available: "I Wonder As I Wander" as stand-alone piece)
SANTA CLAUS: THE OPERA - extended opera spoof
SANTA, YOU DA MAN - whimsical number for children's chorus and small orchestra
SING THE CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS - audience singalong
(Also available as "Joyful Carols of Christmas" with "Joy to the World"
instead of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" as the opening song)
SING WE JOYOUS! - audience singalong
SNOW AT CHRISTMAS - original children's choir feature
SONG IN OUR HEARTS - original closer, baritone solo and chorus
(Also available in TTBB chorus version)
SONGS IN THE AIR - closer
SOUNDS OF JOY - first act closer combining "Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy" and "Joy to the World"
STILL, STILL, STILL - ethereal contemporary treatment of familiar carol (strings, harp, SATB chorus)
THREE EUROPEAN CAROLS - English, German, French carols
THE TWELFTH ELF - original children's feature
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS - opener or encore
WEXFORD PROCESSIONAL - beautiful, contemplative mood for orchestra only
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? - dramatic treatment, optional audience sing-along
A WORLD OF JOY - world music "Joy to the World"
(Also available: "Celtic Joy" (final movement only), suitable for closer or encore)
NOW AVAILABLE - THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS SERIES for smaller orchestra
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT GARY FRY FOR MORE INFORMATION
O CHRISTMAS TREE FANTASIA (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-ElecBs-Strings
SING WE JOYOUS II (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-ElecBs-Strings
REBIKOV: Selections from THE CHRISTMAS TREE - orch 2222-3210-Timp+2-Kybd-Strings
THE JOURNEY OF THE MAGI (Fry) - orch 2222-2000-Timp+3-Kybd-Strings
BIZET: Farandole from L'ARLESIENNE SUITE #2 (Arr. Fry) - orch 2222-2220-Timp+3-Strings
HOLY NIGHT OF ANGELS II (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-Strings
A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS CAROL (Story by Charlie Daniels; Music by Gary Fry) - Narrator-Timp+3-Hp-Kybd-Strings
BORN ANEW (Fry) - SATB Chorus + 1011-0211-Timp+2-Pno-Org-Strings
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Poem by Clement Moore, Music by Gary Fry) - Tenor (or Sop.) Solo, opt. SATB Chorus, and either:
(Version 1 - full orchestra) 3333-4331-Timp+3-Hp-Kybd-Strings
(Version 2 - small orchestra) 1111-1110-2 Perc-Kybd-Strings
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (Arr. Fry) - Med. Voice Solo + 0000-1211-2 Perc-Pno-Strings (also avail. 1111-1110-2 Perc-Kybd-Strings)
REEL JOY (Joy to the World) (Arr. Fry) - 2 Violin Soloists with Strings, Harp, Piano, and 2 Percussion
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT GARY FRY FOR MORE INFORMATION
O CHRISTMAS TREE FANTASIA (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-ElecBs-Strings
SING WE JOYOUS II (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-ElecBs-Strings
REBIKOV: Selections from THE CHRISTMAS TREE - orch 2222-3210-Timp+2-Kybd-Strings
THE JOURNEY OF THE MAGI (Fry) - orch 2222-2000-Timp+3-Kybd-Strings
BIZET: Farandole from L'ARLESIENNE SUITE #2 (Arr. Fry) - orch 2222-2220-Timp+3-Strings
HOLY NIGHT OF ANGELS II (Traditional) - SATB Chorus + orch 2222-3220-Timp+3-Kybd-Strings
A CAROLINA CHRISTMAS CAROL (Story by Charlie Daniels; Music by Gary Fry) - Narrator-Timp+3-Hp-Kybd-Strings
BORN ANEW (Fry) - SATB Chorus + 1011-0211-Timp+2-Pno-Org-Strings
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Poem by Clement Moore, Music by Gary Fry) - Tenor (or Sop.) Solo, opt. SATB Chorus, and either:
(Version 1 - full orchestra) 3333-4331-Timp+3-Hp-Kybd-Strings
(Version 2 - small orchestra) 1111-1110-2 Perc-Kybd-Strings
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN (Arr. Fry) - Med. Voice Solo + 0000-1211-2 Perc-Pno-Strings (also avail. 1111-1110-2 Perc-Kybd-Strings)
REEL JOY (Joy to the World) (Arr. Fry) - 2 Violin Soloists with Strings, Harp, Piano, and 2 Percussion
More Christmas works (unrecorded)
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT GARY FRY FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Father Christmas Comes to Chicago (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Baritone solo/Orch)
- Christmas Time (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Santa actor/Orch)
- Your Christmas W-I-S-H (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Narrator/Santa/Orch)
- The Christmas Menace (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Orch)
- Good Night and Merry Christmas (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- Let the Caroling Start (audience singalong; SATB/opt. Children/Orch)
- We Wish You a VERY Merry Christmas (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- The Stars Shall Dance (a cappella setting of Eugene Field poem; SSAATTBB chorus)
- Fa-La-La! (audience singalong; SATB/Orch)
- In Search of Santa (mini-musical, various numbers; SATB/Children/Child actors/Santa actors/Orch)
- Welcome, Noel! (extended treatment of "The First Noel"; SATB/Orch)
- The Christmas Spirit (concert closer; SATB/Children/Orch)
- Everywhere You Look, It's Christmas (audience singalong; SATB/Children/Mr. Groutch actor/Orch)
- Something You Can Count On (novelty singalong; SATB/Children/Anncr/Orch)
- A Very Special Christmas Number (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Mr. Groutch actor/Santa/Orch)
- The Hall Bedecked! (extended treatment of "Deck the Hall"; SATB/Orch)
- Another Wonderful Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- Angels' Glory (herald trumpets feature on "Angels from the Realms of Glory" & "Angels We Have Heard on High"; SATB/Orch)
- Christmas Hero, parts I and II (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Mrs. Santa & Santa/Orch)
- Join the Chorus (audience singalong; SATB/opt. Children/Orch)
- Merry Christmas from Chicago (adaptation of "Christmas in Chicago"; SATB/Children/Orch)
- The Wexford Carol (several versions: SATB/Orch; Soprano Solo/SATB/Orch; SATB/Soloists/Organ/Flute/Harp)
- Things We Do Each Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Orch)
- Santa Claus Symphony (edit and adaptation of W.H. Fry 19th-century work; Orch only)
- Sounds of Joy ("Sound, sound, ye instruments of joy" and "Joy to the World"; SATB/Orch)
- Carols for Dickens (SATB/Children/Orch)
- Getting Rid of All That's Christmas (feature for Scrooge; SATB/Scrooge singer-actor/Orch)
- It's a Dickens of a Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Scrooge singer-actor/Orch)
- Cantus Angelorum (a cappella, wordless "Angels We Have Heard on High"; SATB chorus div/Scrooge actor)
- A Gift for Santa (comic mini-opera for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; SATB/7 Operatic soloists/Santa/Orch)
- The Simple Gifts of Christmas (concert closer; SATB/7 Operatic soloists/Orch)
- The Christmas Truce of 1914 (programmatic ballet and choral ballad; ballet for dancers and orchestra; choral anthem SATB/Orchestra)
- Welcome Home (Grandma's for Christmas) - children's choir feature; (Children/SATB/Orch/Opt. percussion ensemble)
- Home for the Holidays (novelty arrangement of familiar tune; SATB/Children/2 narrators/Orch)
- I'll Be Home for Christmas (romantic arrangement of familiar tune, 2 versions: SATB/Orch & Soprano Solo/SATB/Orch)
- Now That You're Home, It's Christmas (bright, upbeat Christmas original; SATB/Children/Child singer/Adult male singer/Orch)
- Christmas Changes Everything (sacred Christmas song, alto/tenor vocal duet with chamber orchestra)
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT GARY FRY FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Father Christmas Comes to Chicago (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Baritone solo/Orch)
- Christmas Time (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Santa actor/Orch)
- Your Christmas W-I-S-H (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Narrator/Santa/Orch)
- The Christmas Menace (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Orch)
- Good Night and Merry Christmas (novelty concert closer, SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- Let the Caroling Start (audience singalong; SATB/opt. Children/Orch)
- We Wish You a VERY Merry Christmas (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- The Stars Shall Dance (a cappella setting of Eugene Field poem; SSAATTBB chorus)
- Fa-La-La! (audience singalong; SATB/Orch)
- In Search of Santa (mini-musical, various numbers; SATB/Children/Child actors/Santa actors/Orch)
- Welcome, Noel! (extended treatment of "The First Noel"; SATB/Orch)
- The Christmas Spirit (concert closer; SATB/Children/Orch)
- Everywhere You Look, It's Christmas (audience singalong; SATB/Children/Mr. Groutch actor/Orch)
- Something You Can Count On (novelty singalong; SATB/Children/Anncr/Orch)
- A Very Special Christmas Number (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Mr. Groutch actor/Santa/Orch)
- The Hall Bedecked! (extended treatment of "Deck the Hall"; SATB/Orch)
- Another Wonderful Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Santa/Orch)
- Angels' Glory (herald trumpets feature on "Angels from the Realms of Glory" & "Angels We Have Heard on High"; SATB/Orch)
- Christmas Hero, parts I and II (novelty concert closer; SATB/Children/Mrs. Santa & Santa/Orch)
- Join the Chorus (audience singalong; SATB/opt. Children/Orch)
- Merry Christmas from Chicago (adaptation of "Christmas in Chicago"; SATB/Children/Orch)
- The Wexford Carol (several versions: SATB/Orch; Soprano Solo/SATB/Orch; SATB/Soloists/Organ/Flute/Harp)
- Things We Do Each Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Orch)
- Santa Claus Symphony (edit and adaptation of W.H. Fry 19th-century work; Orch only)
- Sounds of Joy ("Sound, sound, ye instruments of joy" and "Joy to the World"; SATB/Orch)
- Carols for Dickens (SATB/Children/Orch)
- Getting Rid of All That's Christmas (feature for Scrooge; SATB/Scrooge singer-actor/Orch)
- It's a Dickens of a Christmas (concert closer; SATB/Children/Scrooge singer-actor/Orch)
- Cantus Angelorum (a cappella, wordless "Angels We Have Heard on High"; SATB chorus div/Scrooge actor)
- A Gift for Santa (comic mini-opera for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; SATB/7 Operatic soloists/Santa/Orch)
- The Simple Gifts of Christmas (concert closer; SATB/7 Operatic soloists/Orch)
- The Christmas Truce of 1914 (programmatic ballet and choral ballad; ballet for dancers and orchestra; choral anthem SATB/Orchestra)
- Welcome Home (Grandma's for Christmas) - children's choir feature; (Children/SATB/Orch/Opt. percussion ensemble)
- Home for the Holidays (novelty arrangement of familiar tune; SATB/Children/2 narrators/Orch)
- I'll Be Home for Christmas (romantic arrangement of familiar tune, 2 versions: SATB/Orch & Soprano Solo/SATB/Orch)
- Now That You're Home, It's Christmas (bright, upbeat Christmas original; SATB/Children/Child singer/Adult male singer/Orch)
- Christmas Changes Everything (sacred Christmas song, alto/tenor vocal duet with chamber orchestra)