Everyone loves a Christmas song! Here are 10 brand-new Editors’ Choice choral Christmas selections to inspire your choirs. There are so many great new Christmas, holiday, and winter songs this year that our editors have chosen for you – they meet so many of the needs of today’s choirs, including a variety of styles, difficulty levels, and voicings, from holiday pop to sacred settings. You’ll be sure to find some things that you can program for your holiday concert.
Jingle, Jingle, Jingle
Johnny Marks/arr. Greg Gilpin – Shawnee Press
You can never go wrong with this holiday classic by Johnny Marks! Sleigh bells, optional kazoos, and accessible harmonies make this arrangement of the “Rudolph” classic not only attainable but fun. Perfect for elementary and middle school holiday concerts!
Starts at :49
Sweet Silent Night
Andy Beck – Alfred Music Publishing
A gentle ode to heavenly stars and falling snow, this original winter-themed work paints a peaceful scene with delicate vocal lines and an ethereal piano accompaniment. Very easily learned, it features the essence of Silent Night with a secular text that can be sung at any winter concert. As a special touch, the final verse can be performed a cappella for a very effective and serene ending.
Starts at 1:49
Nutcracker Medley
Artist: Voctave P.I. Tchaikovsky/arr. Jamey Ray – Jamey Ray Music
Straight from their album It Feels Like Christmas, here is Voctave’s stunning a cappella medley based on themes from the “Nutcracker Suite.” With impeccable contemporary a cappella harmonies and flawless transitions, the vocable-only text creates a rich orchestral sound with divisi harmonies. It’s a wonderful choice for holiday concerts for mature choirs who can appreciate the challenge!
Starts at 2:54
The Magic of Winter
Sherry Blevins – Hinshaw Music, Inc.
Painting a winter wonderland in the listener’s mind, this inclusive piece expresses the wonder and magic of the season and of all of us. With a lilting 6/8 meter, easy modal mixture, and effortless key changes, it offers opportunities to expand singers’ theory knowledge while diversifying your program repertoire. You can perform the piece in unison or in two-part harmony. A perfect choice for any winter concert!
Starts at 3:39
It Feels Like Christmas
Paul Williams/arr. Audrey Snyder – Hal Leonard Corporation
A charming song that’s become a classic, this lighthearted merry tune from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is perfect for young choirs. Accessible voice parts in this choral adaptation provide ease of learning and confidence in singing. It will be a wonderful addition to your holiday concert!
Starts at 4:41
O Nata Lux
Bryan Sharpe – Heritage Music Press
With a soaring melody and harmonies that exude warmth, this lyrical setting of the traditional Latin text is expressive and bright. Traditionally sung during the Christmas season, this text can also be sung year-round in both concert settings and services. Accessible yet sophisticated, this is a beautiful selection for helping your choir express musicality and sensitive lyricism.
Starts at 5:45
In December
Teresa Jennings – Plank Road Publishing
Why is it that in December we are our best selves: happier, cheerier, and brighter? Your choir will enjoy exploring this question while singing this original pop-style tune that doesn’t mention the Christmas holiday. Notated percussion and body percussion options as well as singing in either two parts or unison make this song easy to groove along with!
Starts at 6:37
Winter Lullaby
Luke Flynn – Santa Barbra Music Publishing
Sweeping, emotive choral lines envelop Eugene Field’s well-known poem Christmas Eve in this beautiful lullaby setting from a Hollywood film score composer. Lush harmonies allow choirs to express their musical sensitivity, while the parts themselves remain accessible to a variety of mixed choirs. A stunning choice for winter concerts!
Starts at 7:35
Jazz Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy
arr. Pinkzebra – Pinkzebra Publishing
Everyone loves “The Nutcracker” – and the Sugar Plum Fairy performing her iconic dance is a highlight! Now you can sing all about her with this reimagined jazz-waltz setting of the well-known melody harmonized for a variety of choirs.
Starts at 8:43
DJ Play a Christmas Song
Artist: Cher arr. Alan Billingsley – Alfred Music Publishing
Looking for a fresh pop feature for your next holiday concert? From Cher’s Christmas album, this groovin’ feel-good choral adaptation of the techno-pop hit is easy to learn, fun to sing, and very danceable. Ideal for show or concert choirs, it’s a can’t-miss holiday hit!
Starts at 10:04
