"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" has got to be one of the most classic Christmas songs of all time. It was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 movie "Meet Me in St. Louis", starring Judy Garland. According to an interview with the writers in 1989, when Judy first read the words she refused to sing it because the words were too depressing. Martin and Blane revised it, and that version was used in the movie. This piano solo is written for advanced intermediate level, and begins with a beautiful, flowing style, full of rich chording, and changes into a "piano bar" style, with a single line melody in the R.H. and bass and chords in the L.H. The melody is written using many triplets and a swing rhythm that is similar to the way it is sung by many famous artists. There is lots of helpful fingering, making many passages flow with ease. Pedal this song about every 2 beats to maintain a clean sound. Arranged by Amy J. Snyder. Visit AmyJoMusic at www.facebook.com/amyjsnyder7and#65279;. Copyright (c) 1943 (Renewed) METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER INC. (c) 1944 (Renewed) EMI FEIST CATALOG INC. All Rights Controlled and Administered by EMI FEIST CATALOG INC. (Publishing) and ALFRED MUSIC (Print) All Rights Reserved.

It's always exciting to teach children in the fall when they are ready to learn and eager to experience new things. Such is the case with beginning handbells or handchimes. I begin with a little instruction about whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes and spend a lot of time in rhythm practice. New things are best received in a spirit of togetherness; therefore, my beginning pieces rely heavily on chords. That way no one stands out too much when a wrong note is rung. Here is a great piece for new ringers--DO LORD, a traditional spiritual that kids love to sing. The melody is played by an early intermediate flutist, and the ringers become the rhythm accompaniment. In no time at all, you will hear and see success! They will want to play it over and over-- and now your ringers have a small taste of what it sounds like to harmonize together. My friend Maestro approves, and he especially likes the fact that I color code notes on each ringer's sheet music. so if a ringer can count, he/she can ring! Four pages total (bell part and flute part), key of G with no key changes. Performance time: 1:25 minutes. Perfect piece for a two-octave Handbell or handchime set. PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO MAKE NECESSARY COPIES FOR RINGERS AND FLUTIST.