“A Carol of the Bells Adventure” for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble (2010)

*Winner, “Best Arrangement”, of the 2005 Northop Brass Band Composition Competition.

Duration: 2’30″
Grade: 4
Instrumentation:
1 Picc., 2 Fl., 2 Ob. (2nd opt.),
2 Bsn. (2nd opt.), Cbsn. (opt.),
3 Cl., Eb A.Cl. (opt.), B.Cl.,
C.A.Cl. (opt.) OR Cb.Cl. (opt.),
2 A.Sax., 1 T.Sax., 1 Bari.Sax.,
4 Tpt., 4 Hn., 2 Tbn., 1 B.Tbn., 1 Euph., 2 Tba.,
Timp., 4-6 Perc.

MIDI Demo:
(Using Sibelius playback with built-in sound library):

Notes:

Carol of the Bells is one of my favorite Christmas carols. It’s minor mode, contrapuntal motivic figures, and fast tempo all make for a fun and exciting carol.

This arrangement captures the dramatic yet festive nature of this melody with fanfares, cross-rhythms, close harmonies, and a classical development section in the middle.

I originally wrote this arrangement for brass quintet in 2000, and it has been a staple of my Christmas repertoire during caroling season ever since. Later, I scored it for brass band. That version won “Best Arrangement” in the 2005 Northop Brass Band Composition Competition.

In 2010, I finally adapted it for Symphonic Band / Wind Ensemble—something I’d been meaning to do for ages. This version adds chimes, glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone, and marimba to the texture to enhance the festive nature of the piece.

This arrangement is structured as follows…

• Introductory Fanfare (to “A”)
• 1st Setting (“A” to “E”)
• 2nd Setting (“E” to “H”)
• Development Section (“H” to “N”)
• 3rd Setting (“N” to “Q”)
• Coda (“Q” to end)

11X17 Score: $35 / Score & Parts: $95. Contact me to purchase.

*Also available for brass quintet and British brass band.