The Holly And The Ivy

Here is a unique arrangement, and we hope that it is what many of you have asked for. It is arranged so that you can perform it with beginning soprano recorders, with more advanced soprano recorders, alto recorders, and any combination thereof. It is orchestrated for brass, strings, and percussion with several special effects that will let your players feel like they are playing at the front of a big orchestra.

We have given you separate parts for each of the three options. If you have some players playing the advanced part, you can customize their part further by making the second time through the song a round for them. Starting at bar 28, divide the group in two, having one half start the melody three beats behind the other half. When you listen to the background tracks, you will hear the trombones and trumpets doing the round as well.

You will note that the alto recorder has some measures with upstem and downstem notes. The upstem notes are more rhythmically difficult than the downstem notes. Players can choose which notes best fit their abilities.

The last chord for soprano recorders is strictly optional, but it is an easy way to add a richer ending. Just divvy up the chord evenly among the players.

Online extras - A free, downloadable score for this piece can be found under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 17, No. 2 at MusicK8.com