Big Band Christmas
PACK No. 1

Level
3 - 3½+

INSTRUMENTAL CHARTS

Title 1: WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS -
written with a jazz/rock feel. This is a bright opener for your Christmas concert with the band singing as the curtain opens.  The chart then goes into a high energy rock throughout.  There is an alto sax and guitar solo.

Title 2: GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN -
written with a jazz groove style.  A swinging "Basie" groove featuring piano and trombone solos.

Listen to MP3

Listen to MP3

We Wish You
trumpet

God Rest Ye
trumpet

INSTRUMENTAL CHARTS

Title 1 : JINGLE BELLS -
written with a swing shuffle feel. Featuring solos for alto sax and trombone - finishing on a big a band shout chorus.

Title 2: O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL -
saxes open the first chorus with this "Basie" style groove.  Majestic 8 bar brass choir leads into a tenor sax solo.  Some solid ensemble work to finish this groovy chart.

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INSTRUMENTAL CHARTS

Title 1: SILENT NIGHT -
written with a swinging 3/4 feel.  An ad lib trumpet solo leads into a nice swinging chorus from the saxes.  There are some nice substitute chords throughout.

Title 2: HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING -
written with a funky, rock feel.  A bass end riff underpins this majestic brass sound.  Optional written tenor sax solo.

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Silent Night
trumpet




Hark Trumpet

INSTRUMENTAL CHARTS

Title 2: AWAY IN A MANGER -
this opens with two sax choruses understating the melody in a typical big band jazzy way.  There is a lot of character in this chart by way of articulation and interpretation.  Nice effect with the trumpets in harmon mutes over open trombones.

Title 1: JOY TO THE WORLD -
written with a raging 3/4 swing feel.  Good punchy figures from the brass section.  A way out alto sax solo with a lot of tension in the backing.

Listen to MP3

Away in a Manger
Trumpet

Joy to the World
Trumpet

VOCAL CHARTS with optional instrumental solos

Title 1: WINTER WONDERLAND -
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'Bb to B'.
Written in swing, shuffle feel - this is a real toe tapper with many twists and turns culminating in a key change right at the end.  There are lots of interesting things happening throughout the whole chart.  Great fun to sing!
If playing as an instrumental, the alto or tenor sax 8va would work best.

Title 2: IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'F'.
This is a typical jazz big band treatment of a beautiful Christmas song.  It features many substitue chords, a sax soli, trombone solo and a shout chorus from the full band.  It really grooves along.  If playing as an instrumental, the alto or tenor sax 8va would work best.

Listen to MP3

vibes are
playing
vocal
line

VOCAL CHARTS with optional instrumental solos

Title 1: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU -
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'G',
After a rubato introduction, this song makes you feel like dancing as this infectious swing shuffle feel drives along.  Plenty of punchy lines for the brass, as well as free flowing lines for the saxe.  This is one Christmas song that can be played anytime throughout the year.  It is a must for your library.  If playing as an instrumental, the alto or tenor sax 8va would work best.

Title 2: AULD LANG SYNE - (means "times gone by" )

This chart is an INSTRUMENTAL/VOCAL - it will work without vocalists - the audience will sing along. As you will hear on the sample MP3, it has several feels throughout - starting with a rubato section, into a powerful rock feel through to the drum solo which is open so as an audience conga line can form, then into a samba feel into a big finish.  There are two solos (alto sax & guitar).  An ideal chart for New Year's Eve, Weddings, end of year school leavers.  There are optional endings throughout the chart in case you don't want to play each feel. Suits most vocal ranges -
Key 'Eb to F to G to Ab to Bb'

VOCAL CHARTS with optional instrumental solos

Title 1: SLEIGH RIDE -
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'C'

Written with an easy "2" beat feel going into a shout chorus which really cooks.  Great tune, great lyrics.  Any of the solo instrumental parts will suit this chart, if you don't have a vocalist.

Title 2: OH HOLY NIGHT -
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'G'

This version starts with a traditional approach from the vocalist with the band playing a bluesy 12/8 feel - building into a fast 3/4 jazz feel. This chart really cooks with plenty of punch from the band. Ed Wilson is playing the vocal line on trombone - this is a good example of how the optional instrumental solo parts can work if you don't have a vocalist.  Range wise, tenor or alto sax will suit best if you don't have a vocalist.

Ed Wilson
on trombone
playing
VOCAL
line

Big Band Christmas
PACK No. 8

Level 4

Level 3½+

VOCAL CHARTS with optional instrumental solos

Title 1: LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW
Suits FEMALE alto vocal range - Key 'C to Db"

An up tempo swing chart, but can be taken slower and will work just as well. A lot of free flowing lines from the saxes, complimented with punchy brass.  Short solo for trombone & piano.  If played as an instrumental solo, all of the solo parts will work well.

Title 2: ODE TO JOY (SONG OF JOY) -
with key changes" Bb to C to D"

This chart is an INSTRUMENTAL/VOCAL - it will work without vocalists.  Suits FEMALE alto vocal range, or some MALE vocal range. If played as an instrumental, this arrangement works best from trombone, alto or tenor sax solo lead. Written with a driving, funky 12/8 feel.

Vibes
playing
VOCAL
line

A Song
of Joy
Listen
to MP3
350KB
sample

A Song
of Joy
Listen
to MP3
1MB
full
version

Vocal range
Let it Snow

Highest trumpet
note-Let it Snow

Vocal range
Song Of Joy

Highest trumpet note
A Song of Joy