Looking for fresh holiday music for your SATB choir? Today we’re sharing 10 brand-new Editors’ Choice selections—handpicked by our editorial team as this year’s favorites! From sacred Christmas works to holiday pop arrangements, there’s something here for every high school, community, or church choir.
Everything Red & Green
Anita Cracauer
A perfect festive choice for concert or competitive show choirs, this original holiday pop tune brings all the energy that an opener for your holiday show should. Creative layering of harmonies and short solo lines highlight the texture, and there are many moments where your rhythm section and your whole ensemble will shine!
Starts at 0:33
Greensleeves
arr. Greg Gilpin
Reimagining a timeless English folk song, this contemporary arrangement brings a fresh approach. The 4/4 meter elongates the melodic line, and the harmony incorporates rhythmic vocables that may be performed a cappella or with the optional piano accompaniment. The traditional secular lyrics are used, though the well-known sacred Christmas text What Child Is This? can be effectively substituted.
Starts at 1:28
Coventry Carol
arr. Garrett Breeze
The beloved 16th-century English carol is set in an a cappella arrangement for divisi choir that is full of dissonance, closer harmonies, and tension that matches the emotional pathos of the carol. Text painting and a colorful, modern harmonic palette combine to create a memorable and dramatic Christmas selection.
Starts at 2:21
I Wonder as I Wander
arr. Kyle Pederson
The composer creates a striking and ethereal tone poem in this fantasy-like carol setting for chorus, piano, and optional C instrument. Traditional text and tune combine with newly written words as well as a new musical refrain on the name “Emmanuel”, providing a modern twist on a beloved carol.
Starts at 3:08
O Nata Lux
Victor C. Johnson
Beautiful at any time of year but particularly during the Christmas season, this elegant and serene setting of the traditional Latin text is a beautiful statement for choirs in either services or concerts. With plenty of room for expressive singing throughout, this luminous setting gives every voice part a time to shine. An understated piano accompaniment offers just the right amount of support.
Starts at 4:07
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Eric Whitacre
One of Eric Whitacre’s most well-known compositions, Sleep, is available now as it was originally composed in 2000, using the Robert Frost poem as its text. While the circumstances of Frost’s text led to the creation of Whitacre and Silvestri’s first beloved collaboration, this version with the winter-themed text offers the chance to perform and hear the music in a completely different light.
Starts at 4:52
A Saint Nick Jazz Trio
arr. Michele Weir
Following up on her A Holiday Jazz Trio and A Christmas Jazz Trio, jazz educator Michele Weir returns with another solid trio offering for a cappella jazz choirs. Perfect for concerts or caroling with small ensembles or large choirs, these brief selections with no divisi can be performed individually or as a set. Titles: Up on the Housetop; Toyland and Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.
Starts at 5:43
O Holy Night
arr. Jamey Ray
From their album The Spirit of the Season, here is a cappella group Voctave’s arrangement of this favorite Christmas carol. Featuring a soprano solo and lush choral harmonies, it is a stunning addition to Christmas concerts or services. The original a cappella version is Voctave’s signature arrangement, while the accompanied version offers a more accessible setting that retains the same harmonic flavor of the original.
Starts at 6:33
Sleighin’ Song
arr. Jacob Narverud
“Come on, ya’ll!” This unique and fresh arrangement of a holiday favorite as a western hoedown is rip-roaring Americana fun! The traditional melody is paired with open harmonies and folk-like themes, and a highly entertaining square dance feature includes body percussion for handclaps, thigh slaps, and foot stomps. Perform with piano alone or add the full instrumentation for strings, percussion, and jug band trio for the full barn dance effect!
Starts at 7:27
Let There Be Joy
arr. Mark Brymer
With a soulful and upbeat gospel flavor, Jennifer Hudson’s holiday hit is a great fit for any Christmas concert. “And may we all shine a light, make the season bright…” A positive message for peace and joy!
Starts at 8:42
