Introduction
With the winter season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about new music selections for your concert band. Winter concerts are a wonderful opportunity for music directors to showcase the skills and talents of their musicians. If you’re on the hunt for some great new pieces to add to your winter concert repertoire, then you’ve come to the right place! In today’s blog post, we’ll be sharing some exciting new winter concert selections for concert band that are sure to delight both you and your audience.
Jingle Jam
If you want to get your audience clapping along, look no further! Jingle Jam is a feelgood holiday celebration that features many of your favorite classics, including “Up on the Housetop,” “Deck the Halls,” “The 12 Days of Christmas”, “O Tannenbaum,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and of course, “Jingle Bells!” A host of percussion instruments ensures everyone feels the groove and prepares them to embrace the spirit of the season! Jingle Jam is the perfect way to conclude your holiday concert!
Grade 2 | 2:30 | JWPepper Editor’s Choice 2024
“Not So Silent Night”
Every child imagines witnessing Santa Claus coming down the chimney, delivering presents under the tree, and enjoying milk and cookies. This programmatic work envisions a movie-like soundtrack to these events… until things take an unexpected turn.
Our scene begins with Santa descending down the chimney, cautiously taking in his new surroundings to avoid waking the home’s sleeping residents. He tiptoes around the house, humming Christmas tunes like “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Up on the Housetop” under his breath. Carefully placing the presents under the tree, he briefly pauses to ensure no one is awakened. As time passes, Santa becomes more comfortable with his surroundings, becoming less conscious of the noise he makes. Eventually, he breaks into full-throated merry singing as he continues his work.
Suddenly, Santa becomes very aware he’s not the only one in the room! Around the corner peers a newly awakened pet dog and not a friendly one! Panic sets in as Santa collects himself, and a full-blown chase breaks out as Santa makes for his exit! After a prolonged chase around the house, Santa makes his way up the chimney and out of the house! With a sense of relief, Santa and his reindeer fly off to the next house, where further antics no doubt await in what has become a Not So Silent Night.
Starting with a clever tango and ending with a cartoon-esque chase scene, this winter concert music will engage the imagination of your students and audience alike!
Grade 3 | 4:30 | JWPepper Editor’s Choice 2023
“Fanfare for the Festival of Lights”
“Fanfare for the Festival of Lights” weaves two traditional Hanukkah melodies into a colorful, rousing celebration! “Ma’oz Tzur”, translated, means “rock of ages”, and hints at the strength of faith felt by the Jewish people when reflecting on the story of Hanukkah. In contrast, “The Dreidel Song” leans into a more playful side of the Hanukkah holiday, referencing a song about an often-played children’s game.
The composer writes, “As a young Jewish musician growing up in the United States, I performed an untold number of Christmas selections around the holiday season. And, truthfully, I enjoyed them all! The concert band repertoire includes a wealth of masterfully crafted selections composed and arranged from melodies and concepts tied to the Christmas holiday. However, there are decidedly fewer opportunities for young Jewish musicians to perform music derived from their own cultural and religious heritage. My hope is that through creating this brief work, Jewish musicians will have the opportunity to perform music from their background while all musicians join together in a musical celebration of the joy and awe of the holiday season!”
Grade 3.5 | 2:30 | JWPepper Editor’s Choice 2022 | Bandworld Top 100
A preview of something new…
I recently finished a commission for a new Hanukkah-themed work, “Light the Menorah!” This work will premiere in December 2024 and be available for purchase next summer (June 2025). Check it out!
A little bit about the work…
“Light the Menorah!” imagines an evening of Hanukkah celebration! Beginning with the simple melody “Ner Li” (I have a candle), lush harmonies and textures slowly become more colorful as each successive candle is lit, brightening the faces of those around the menorah. After a moment of introspection, the final candle is lit, and the beauty and majesty of the completed menorah is fully realized in a broad, soaring reprise.
As the gravity of the moment subsides, a percussive drive slowly builds into a burst of rhythmic energy! A celebratory dance begins, set to “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,” a traditional Jewish song that captures the essence of the holiday. This vivacious tune is intertwined with “Hava Nagila” (Let us rejoice), a traditional Jewish folk song that is a staple of festivities in Jewish culture. An upbeat celebration continues, developing and blending these melodies until a final rousing statement brings the festivities to a roaring finish!
For some context about Hanukkah, refer to the lyrics of “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah”:
Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah*, Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora*
Gather ’round the table, we’ll give you a treat, Sivivon* to play with and latkes* to eat.
And while we are playing, the candles are burning low,
One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago*.
*A menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches. During Hanukkah, an eight-night holiday, one candle is lit each night until, on the final night, all eight candles are lit at once. A ninth candle, or “shamash” (helper), lights the other candles each night. The menorah commemorates the miracle of the Temple’s oil lasting eight days.
*The Hora is a traditional Jewish circle dance often performed on joyous occasions.
*Sivivon is the Hebrew word for “dreidel,” a four-sided spinning top traditionally played with during Hanukkah.
*Latkes are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes and other ingredients and fried in oil until crispy. This traditional Hanukkah treat symbolizes the miracle of Hanukkah, where a small amount of oil miraculously lasted eight days in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
*The reference of “days long ago” refers to the origins of Hanukkah, where a small amount of oil, enough for one day, miraculously burned for eight days in the Temple’s menorah, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and faith over oppression.
As a young Jewish musician growing up in the United States, I performed an untold number of Christmas selections around the holiday season. And, truthfully, I enjoyed them all! The concert band repertoire includes a wealth of masterfully crafted selections composed and arranged from melodies and concepts tied to the Christmas holiday. However, there are decidedly fewer opportunities for Jewish musicians to perform music derived from their own cultural heritage. I hope that through creating this work, Jewish musicians will have the opportunity to perform music from their background while all musicians join together in a musical celebration of the joy and awe of the holiday season!
This work was commissioned by the Tualatin Valley Community Band from Tigard, Oregon, under the direction of Kevin Soon, Music Director.
Conclusion
Winter concerts provide a wonderful opportunity for concert band directors to showcase the skills and talents of their musicians. By adding some exciting new winter concert selections to your program, you can create a memorable and engaging performance that will delight both you and your audience. With these two new selections, you can take your audience on a magical journey through the snow-covered landscape, spread holiday cheer, and capture the spirit of the winter season. So what are you waiting for? Start practicing and get ready for a winter concert program that is sure to be a hit!
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