Looking for fresh, festive, and unforgettable music for your 2025 concert band season? We’ve got you covered!
We’re highlighting 10 MUST-HAVE Concert Band Pieces from our 2025 Editors’ Choice Selections — perfect for winter concerts, holiday performances, and everything in between.
These pieces strike the perfect balance between beloved classics and exciting new compositions from today’s top composers and arrangers. Whether you’re programming a holiday concert or preparing for festival season, you’ll find inspiring new repertoire to keep your performances fresh and engaging.
Mechanical Monsters
Randall Standridge
The Mechanical Monsters return in an explosive holiday crossover with Santa the Barbarian! Fueled by a frenzy of minor-mode carols including Deck the Halls; Jingle Bells; Up on the Housetop and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, this delightfully demented sequel continues the saga of seasonal mayhem. Combining the mechanical madness of the original with Santa’s twisted workshop energy, this piece features quirky percussion, mechanical effects, and just the right amount of chromatic chaos. Add a narration opportunity for an administrator or other school star, and you’ve got the blueprint for a holiday hit!
Starts at 0:42
Metal Bell Carol
arr. Brian Balmages
Hold onto your seats with this explosive, heavy-metal-inspired holiday spectacular! Original material is interwoven with Ukrainian Bell Carol and hints of We Three Kings. Using optional electric guitar and bass, this work is destined to be the ultimate closer for holiday programs everywhere! Highlight student talent, or bring in a faculty member or your local guitar hero to do some shredding!
Starts at 2:01
Snowdrifts
Michael Oare
The peace and tranquility of a soft falling snow and the thrill of sledding down a hill are wrapped up into one great work with lots of dramatic harmonies and impact moments along with high-energy rhythms. Perfect for holiday and winter programs. This hybrid edition contains a printed score and access to digital parts.
Starts at 3:19
Holiday Wish (A Christmas Fanfare)
arr. Randall Standridge
Bursting with festive energy and cinematic flair, this vibrant piece for young and developing bands weaves together beloved holiday melodies including We Wish You a Merry Christmas; Good King Wenceslas; Silent Night; Jingle Bells; Deck the Halls and Gloria in excelsis Deo in clever and unexpected ways. Equally effective as a concert opener or closer, this joyful fanfare brings sparkle, warmth, and a touch of holiday magic to any performance.
Starts at 4:17
Snow on Snow
Megan Vinther
Capturing the quiet beauty of winter, this lyrical and introspective work blends haunting original melodies with Gustav Holst’s beloved In the Bleak Midwinter. Delicate textures and rich harmonic progressions evoke the peaceful stillness of snowfall, inviting performers and audience to pause and reflect. Serene and expressive, this piece is a perfect addition to winter or festival concerts, offering a moment of calm amid the season’s bustle.
Starts at 5:23
A Cumbia Christmas
arr. Jorge Vargas
Give your holiday concert a merry new groove with this joyful and energetic Grade 2 work that blends familiar carols with the vibrant rhythms of Northern Mexican cumbia. Classic tunes get a rhythmic remix with catchy bass lines, Latin percussion, and inventive orchestration that lets every section shine bright like a Christmas light. This festive fusion is sure to sleigh the audience, unwrap some smiles, and maybe even get a few toes tapping in the aisles. A perfect way to fa-la-la-la-feel the rhythm this season!
Starts at 6:14
A Coventry Groove
arr. Bryce Newton
For ensembles seeking an energetic and dynamic twist on a traditional carol, this grooving arrangement delivers a fresh and engaging experience. Thoughtfully crafted with well-balanced voicings and accessible ranges, it suits groups of varying skill levels. Clapping effects, a percussion feature, and vibrant wind parts create layers of excitement and rhythmic energy, making this a memorable highlight for your next holiday performance.
Starts at 7:09
The First Noel
arr. Yukiko Nishimura
Bring a fresh and jazzy twist to your holiday program with this gorgeous arrangement of the beloved carol. Featuring vibrant harmonies and accessible rhythms, this piece is perfect for intermediate-level musicians. The intro alone is worth the price of admission.
Starts at 8:01
In Heavenly Peace (On “Silent Night”)
Franz Gruber/arr. William Owens
This lovely setting is a beautiful reimagining of the timeless Christmas carol Silent Night. This wonderful gem will be on December programs for years to come!
Starts at 8:58
Elves That Rock (Good King Wenceslas, I Saw Three Ships)
Carol Brittin Chambers
Carol Brittin Chambers knows that band students rock, and invites them on a journey to Christmas with “Elves that Rock.” Enjoy a blues-inspired Christmastime pairing of “Good King Wenceslas” and “I Saw Three Ships.”
Starts at 9:38
