Introduction
As the winter season approaches, band directors everywhere are preparing for one of the most anticipated events of the year: the winter concert. These performances are the perfect chance to highlight your ensemble’s hard work and bring festive cheer to your community. Selecting the right concert band repertoire is crucial to crafting a program that engages students and captivates audiences. In this post, you’ll discover a selection of engaging new winter concert pieces for concert band that will inspire your musicians and make your holiday performance unforgettable.
Ho-Ho-Ho, Cha-Cha-Cha!
With lots of percussion and using just the first 6 notes of the Bb major scale, this fun, upbeat piece is perfect for your students’ first winter concert! Your audience will enjoy seeing their young musicians perform this blend of “Up on the Housetop” and “Deck the Halls” with a Latin flair! Come join in the holiday fun!
Grade 0.5 | 1:30
Light The Menorah!
Join in a vibrant celebration of Hanukkah! Colorful, lush harmonies give way to a rousing, lively dance sure to get the audience to its feet! “Ner Li” (I have a candle), “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,” and “Hava Nagila” (Let us rejoice) blend together into a musical tapestry embodying the joy and rich traditions of the holiday. Invite your audience to Light The Menorah at your next winter concert!
Grade 4 | 5:30
Jingle Jam
If you want to get your audience clapping along, look no further! Jingle Jam is a feel-good 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 and becomes 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 the more playful side of the Hanukkah holiday, referencing a song about a popular 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 It Up: A Hard Rock Hanukkah!” This work will premiere in December 2025 at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and will be available for purchase next summer (June 2026).
A little bit about the work…
Light It Up! A Hard Rock Hanukkah brings a fresh, electrifying twist to the holiday season. This piece takes two of the most beloved traditional Hanukkah melodies—Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, and Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel—and transforms them into a high-octane rock spectacle. Drawing inspiration from legendary bands such as Queen and Led Zeppelin, as well as the symphonic rock style of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the work fuses classic holiday tunes with the raw power of hard rock.
With optional parts for electric guitar, bass, and a flexible drum set, this chart delivers all the punch of a holiday rock concert while staying accessible for school and community ensembles. Bold, festive, and guaranteed to bring down the house, Light It Up! is a holiday head-banger like no other.
For some background on Hanukkah, see 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.
* 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 simultaneously. A ninth candle, called the “shamash” (helper), is used to light 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 commonly performed during joyful celebrations.
* 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, fried in oil until crispy. This traditional Hanukkah treat symbolizes the miracle of Hanukkah, when a small amount of oil miraculously lasted eight days in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
From the composer
As a young Jewish musician growing up in the United States, I performed countless Christmas selections during the holiday season. And, honestly, I enjoyed every one of them! The concert band repertoire features a wealth of expertly crafted pieces based on melodies and themes connected to Christmas. However, there are noticeably fewer chances for Jewish musicians to perform music rooted in their own cultural heritage. I hope that by creating this work, Jewish musicians will have the opportunity to perform music from their heritage, while all musicians unite in a musical celebration of the joy and wonder of the holiday season.
This work was commissioned by the Leander Middle School Band from Leander, Texas, under the direction of Liz Love, and premiered at the 2025 Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes a great winter concert program for a concert band?
A: A successful winter concert balances festive energy with musical variety. Including both holiday favorites and fresh new works keeps students engaged while giving the audience a memorable experience.
Q: Are there options for Hanukkah-themed concert band music?
A: Yes! Works like “Light The Menorah!“, “Fanfare for the Festival of Lights”, and “Light It Up: A Hard Rock Hanukkah!” celebrate Jewish traditions while offering ensembles vibrant, accessible repertoire that complements traditional Christmas selections.
Q: What grade levels are these pieces written for?
A: The featured selections range from Grade 2 to Grade 4, making them suitable for middle school, high school, and community ensembles. Each piece offers engaging material while remaining playable for its intended level.
Q: Which piece works best as a concert closer?
A: Jingle Jam is a crowd favorite for closing your program. Its upbeat energy, familiar holiday tunes, and audience participation opportunities make it the perfect finale for a winter concert.
Q: How long are these winter concert pieces?
A: Each work varies in length, giving directors flexibility when planning programs. For example, Jingle Jam runs about 2:30, Not So Silent Night about 4:30, Light the Menorah! about 5:30, and Fanfare for the Festival of Lights about 2:30.
Q: Can I include optional instruments like a guitar or a drum set in a winter concert?
A: Yes! Light It Up: A Hard Rock Hanukkah! includes optional parts for electric guitar, bass, and drum set, giving your ensemble the flexibility to create a high-energy rock concert feel while still being accessible for school and community bands.
Q: Where can I purchase these concert band selections?
A: Most of the featured works are available through RWS Music. Commissioned works, such as Light It Up!, will be available in summer 2026 following their Midwest Clinic premiere.
Conclusion
Winter concerts are a chance for concert bands to shine—bringing music, energy, and joy to the season. By programming fresh and engaging selections, you give your students an opportunity to grow musically while offering your audience an experience they won’t soon forget. These new winter concert pieces are designed to capture the spirit of the season, from snowy landscapes to holiday celebrations, making your program both meaningful and memorable. Now’s the perfect time to dive into the music, inspire your ensemble, and prepare a winter concert that will truly resonate with your community.
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