How to Use the Part-Books

PLAY A SONG OF CHRISTMAS was created for flexible ensembles of any size and combination. Each instrumental book contains the melody (PART A) as well as one of the harmony parts (PART B, C, or D).

A string ensemble, woodwind ensemble, or brass ensemble covers all 4 parts, and mixed ensembles may select books and parts to fill the harmony. In addition, the music sounds complete even when not all parts are covered.

Beginning with the 2011 edition, a separate CD provides recorded piano parts, allowing individual musicians on any instrument to play the melody with full accompaniment, or the piano recordings may fill in missing parts when fewer than four musicians are available.

Each carol has been written-out once through. When longer versions are desired, please feel free to add repeats, possibly changing dynamics, changing octaves, or adding ornamentation, on subsequent repeated stanzas.

Creating Suites from the Contents

Songs 9, 12, 31, 32, and 33 come from secular seasonal traditions, and may be most suitable for school concerts, in some contexts.

The sacred carols include a variety of well-known and less-familiar tunes, which might inspire various combinations of selected numbers.

The first six carols were planned to be used as background music for a reading of the Nativity story as in the Book of Luke, Chapter 2. One possible plan could be:

Ensemble: Play No. 1 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”
Reader: Begin to read verse 1 of Luke 2 when ensemble reaches bar 10, then read verses 1,2, and 3.

Ensemble: Play No. 2 “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
Reader: Begin to read verse 4 when ensemble reaches bar 8, then read verses 4 and 5.

Ensemble: Play No. 3 “Away in a Manger.”
Reader: Begin to read verse 6 when ensemble reaches bar 4, then read verses 6 and 7.

Ensemble: Play No. 4 “While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks.”
Reader: Begin to read verse 8 immediately when ensemble begins, then read verses 8 and 9.

Ensemble: Play No. 5 “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
Reader: Begin to read verse 10 when ensemble reaches bar 5.

Reader: Read verses 15 through 20 without music.
Ensemble: Play No. 6 “Joy to the World” as soon as the reader finishes verse 20.

Because of the close key relationships throughout the book, carols may be selected at random and played together as a medley.

Variety of presentation may be achieved by presenting a group of carols as either full choir, small ensemble, or solo voice, unaccompanied or with handbells, band, orchestra, or smaller instrumental ensemble.