This fun arrangement of 'The Longest Time' captures many features of the original and will be a great addition to your choir's repertoire. Scored for SSATB, it can also be performed with additional percussion and a bass guitar or string bass.

Music and lyrics by Billy Joel

The Longest Time? was penned in 1983 and released as a single in 1984 after featuring on Joel?s album An Innocent Man. The album charts Joel?s musical influences and The Longest Time follows this theme paying tribute to the doo-wop style of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. The song features Billy Joel singing the lead vocals and all backing vocals along with an accompaniment of bass guitar, solitary snare drum, and finger snaps.This arrangement emulates the close harmony of Billy Joel?s original and offers ideas for adding percussion and a bass guitar or string bass.

In this collaboration between two of the most popular sacred music arrangers in the country, Mary McDonald's exuberant, dynamic style blends seamlessly with Joel Raney's rhythmic and beautifully emotional music to provide your musicians with a unique Christmas event that is sure to become the highlight of the season.

The work is composed of four stand-alone suites. Each movement includes original music combined with favorite carols, creating a perfect blend of familiar and new. The writing is accessible for most groups yet contains enough richness to provide any choir with a fulfilling choral experience. The optional two-person narration knits the suites into a thrilling and complete re-telling of the Christmas story. Performance time is 45 minutes.

Full Orchestrations by Michael Lawrence includes: Conductor's Score, Piccolo, 2 Flutes, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet (substitute for Bassoon), 3 Trumpets, 2 Horns, Alto Sax (substitute for Horn 1 and 2), 3 Trombones, Tenor Sax/Baritone T.C. (substitute for Trombone 1 and 2), Tuba, Percussion, Timpani, Harp, Piano, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, String Bass, String Reduction. Included in the Percussion are: Timpani, Bells, Sus. Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Chimes, Mark Tree (Windchimes), Finger Cymbal, Bell Tree, Triangle, Sleigh Bells, Congas (opt. D'jembe), Tambourine, Shaker).

ISBN 9780787714864. Joel Raney brilliantly pairs his original "Dona nobis pacem" with "Away in a Manger" to create this tender manger lullaby. Perfectly suited for Christmas Eve or any other Christmas program, the option to include a children's choir makes this piece is an ideal intergenerational selection. (From the cantata Love Came Down at Christmas, SATB--65/2063L; SAB--65/2064L).