For this Christmas here is a dramatic Fantasia for Instrumental Quartet based on the old English carol God Rest You Merry Gentlemen. It is an eclectic fusion of Classical music and 1950's Free Jazz and West Indian/Caribbean rhythms with exuberance and pulse. It is in verse-refrain form, but is very freely treated and each of the four verses is wholly unique. Every single note is written to express, and sometimes expand upon, the word of the text at that point in time. There is an irregular meter which changes every few bars using 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 7/4 but always maintaining a strong pulse. It contains abrupt changes in dynamics and a rubato tempo with many markings of articulation. This is a challenging work with dynamic results.
19 page score, 4 pages each part; 35 pages total
4:45 minutes

These Twenty Christmas Carols are a fun-to-play collection of well-known Christmas and holiday songs arranged in a flexible style, with a traditional feel and contemporary flavor. Each song is fairly short, but can be repeated as many times through the verses as desired. An optional introduction is notated at the end of every song, which is especially useful when accompanying singers. Parts are provided in both normal concert size and 5" x 7" flip folder size, for performing these carols on the move. Alternate parts are provided for E-Flat soprano clarinet and E-flat alto clarinet. The following carols are included in the collection: 1. Angels We Have Heard on High 2. Away in a Manger 3. Deck the Halls 4. The First Noel 5. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen 6. Good King Wenceslas 7. Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah 8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 9. Jingle Bells 10. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas 11. Joy to the World 12. O Come All Ye Faithful 13. O Come, O Come Emmanuel 14. O Holy Night 15. O Little Town of Bethlehem 16. O Tannenbaum 17. Silent Night 18. Wassail Song 19. We Three Kings 20. We Wish You a Merry Christmas