X'massimo! by Traditional Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert Band (Piccolo, Flute 1/2, Oboe, Bassoon, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1 , Bb Clarinet 2 , Bb Clarinet 3, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone 1 , Eb Alto Saxophone 2, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone, , Bb Trumpet 1 , Bb Trumpet 2 , Bb Trumpet 3, F Horn 1/2) - Level 3

SKU: BZ.COMS-85013A

Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Tohru Kanayama. Seasonal. Standard Brass! Score. Bravo Music #COMS-85013A. Published by Bravo Music (BZ.COMS-85013A).

Performance Notes

This is a medley of four familiar Christmas songs. There are solos and sectional solis which you can enhance through standing, etc.
After the Broadway musical opening, swing starts two bars before [A]. It is written in 2/2, but do not go too fast. Basically, 8th notes are swung, but some parts are played straight, indicated as "EVEN". From [A] "Jingle Bells" begins. The melody should play lighter (shorter) notes except for the slurs. [C] is a big band-style interlude. Although you may want to make a splash, be careful not to make brass and sax phrases too heavy. From [D] comes "O Christmas Tree". It is arranged in a classical style, so you want to change the atmosphere completely.
From [E] is "Silent Night." Meno mosso is specified, but depending on the tempo of [D], it may be better not to slow it down. This is in Glenn Miller style, where the clarinet leads the sax section. As specified in the score, try to use vibrato on both clarinets and saxophones. The cup mute for trumpet and trombone tends to make the sound soggy, so it's better to play with greater dynamics than specified. From [H], "Joy to the World" starts with a brass fanfare, but from one bar before [I], it suddenly becomes Latin (salsa). Percussion is used a lot, but if your band is small, you can omit the timpani, glockenspiel, and timbales. For large bands, bongos, guiro, and maracas should be included. [J] is a sax soli. The drums will be left out, so make sure the phrase doesn't rollover. You may want to listen to the claves pattern. [K] is a solo exchange between trumpet and trombone. The solo phrase is written out, but please adlib as desired. Using a little pause, vibrato, or bend can enhance atmosphere. The clarinet from [M] should be played with a firm staccato, but with longer dotted quarter notes. From [N], return to the theme again, and play the ending of the medley. The fourth and fifth bars of [O] are where you want the horns and chimes to be heard, so please pay attention to the volume of support instruments. Also, don't let the ending ritardando start too early.
(Tohru Kanayama).