Spirit Of The Season

by Teresa Jennings, Paul Jennings, and John Riggio

We are pleased to offer you a diverse collection of holiday songs that have received great responses from the teachers who used them. You'll appreciate the options for solos, part singing, movement, or bells with these songs selected from the pages of Music K-8 magazine. Includes:

This Holiday - Kick off your holiday program with this joyous, high energy tune. The lyrics are filled with iconic seasonal imagery and themes like candles, twinkling lights, holiday spirit, singing, and peace. The song works well in unison, but if you can add the optional second part, the reward is worth the effort. This tune also includes an optional bells part.
Here Comes The Snow - This unique pop hybrid tune requires a bit of musical finesse, but the challenge is fun. While part 2 is optional, the inclusion is what makes it so great. Each part attacks the word "snow" like a bell being struck - with an accent followed by immediate decay. When done together, the effect is striking. The pounding "4 on the floor" pulse gives way to a floating halftime beat, and the use of the stomps and claps give it a unique sound.
Let's Make It Shine! - This lively, Broadway-style song is full of energy, joy, and anticipation of a holiday season filled with light. It's a great opening song for your seasonal performance, but it will certainly add pizzazz to any part of your program. It builds and soars, with an ongoing pulse that keeps the musical excitement high. It works well as a unison piece, but the optional second part really makes it sparkle.
Mister Frosty Winter - With this winter tune, we bring together a swinging partner song in minor mode, a great old jazz style, a cool big band playing the recorded tracks, and optional choreography. This is a song you can perform in any winter concert. It will help your students practice articulation and enunciation, and it includes a bonus choreography video!
Season Of Bells - Not only is this joyful swing tune the perfect way to begin a holiday program, it's also a wonderful way to feature your bell players. The melody and lyrics are light, fun, and easy. We have provided written parts for Bells 1, which uses the whole C scale; Bells 2, which uses only C, D, G, and C'; and jingle bells. Add movement and you have a real showcase on your hands!
Mostly What I Wish For - Expressive, lovely, heartfelt, and containing a tiny hint of the bittersweet, this beautiful ballad might bring a lump to your throat when you sing it. While it was written to be performed by a group of singers, it would certainly be appropriate to use a soloist for this song. Let young singers join in behind your soloist here and there as you desire.
O Come Little Children - This arrangement done in a Celtic style begins with a lively motif that features fiddle and penny whistle, strings, and lots of big drums. The melody is the one you grew up with and is also covered on piano and nylon guitar for reinforcement. As a bonus, we've recorded both secular and sacred lyrics to this song.