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.
Light It Up! A Hard Rock Hanukkah
Turn up the volume this holiday season with a high-octane mashup of “Hanukkah”, “Oh Hanukkah” and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” in the style of Queen, Led Zeppelin, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and more! Driving rhythms, edgy harmonies, and a full-throttle rock groove power this certified head-banger. With optional electric guitar, electric bass, and a flexible drum set part, this accessible chart delivers maximum energy and is a guaranteed showstopper for any holiday performance.
Grade 2 / 2:30′ / 2025 / JWPepper Editors’ Choice Award 2026
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 flare! Come join in the holiday fun!
Grade 0.5 / 1’30” / 2025
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” / 2024
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!
Available for Concert Band & String Orchestra
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
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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