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).

These Twenty-One 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.

This book (223117) is suitable for two violins, and can also pair with other C instruments such asflute, oboe, or mallet percussion. It is compatible with the other string duet books in thisseries:

Twenty-One Christmas Carols for Flexible String Duet, Viola book (223118)
Twenty-One Christmas Carols for Flexible String Duet, Cello book (223119)

The following carols are included in the collection:

1. Angels We Have Heard on High
2. Away in a Manger
3. Carol of the Bells
4. Deck the Halls
5. The First Noel
6. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
7. Good King Wenceslas
8. Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah
9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
10. Jingle Bells
11. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
12. Joy to the World
13. O Come All Ye Faithful
14. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
15. O Holy Night
16. O Little Town of Bethlehem
17. O Tannenbaum
18. Silent Night
19. Wassail Song
20. We Three Kings
21. We Wish You a Merry Christmas.