SKU: BT.DHP-1033411-040

SKU: BT.GOB-000905-140

The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights, so it was believed, evil spirits tried to 'kill' nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year, and therefore became symbols of immortality. These 'living' trees, said to be the work of benign spirits, were brought into people's houses to ward off evil, life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom, originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church inthe course of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles, such as apples and wafers, but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ's apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschütz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song 'O Tannenbaum', the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to 'Stille Nacht' 'O Tannenbaum' is the most famous German Christmas song, now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of 'O Tannenbaum' has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well's arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction, however, it is transformed into a solid rock version, and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back, but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.

De traditie van de ‘Kerstboom’ gaat in West-Europa terug tot ver voordat er van enige kerstening sprake was. Gedurende de koude strenge winters dacht men dat kwade geesten de natuur ‘vermoordde’. Naaldbomen behielden als enige hungroene kleur en werden daardoor symbolen van onsterflijkheid. Deze ‘levende’ bomen, het werk van goede machten, werden in huis gehaald om kwade geesten en levensbedreigende krachten buitenshuis te houden. Van ‘versierde’ kerstbomenwas het eerst sprake in de 14e eeuw. Het was een heidens gebruik, dat in deze periode in de Elzas voorkwam. Tijdens de 15e en 16e eeuw werd het versieren van de kerstboom door de kerk overgenomen. De versiering bestond in eersteinstantie vooral uit etenswaar, als appels en koekjes. Later ging men ook kleine cadeautjes als versiering gebruiken. Er wordt beweerd dat Martin Luther, de hervormer, als eerste kaarsen in een kerstboom deed. De fonkelende vlammetjescreëerden een sterrenhemel waarin men Christus’ verschijning leek te herkennen. De Duitse organist Ernst Anschütz uit Leipzig, was de eerste die het lied ‘O Tannenbaum’ op schrift stelde. De melodie was een bekend volkswijsje.Naast ‘Stille Nacht’ is ‘O Tannenbaum’ het meest bekende kerstlied dat vanuit Duitsland de hele wereld veroverde. De melodie van ‘O Tannenbaum’ wordt zelfs in de Verenigde Staten van Amerika in vier verschillende staten (o.a.Maryland) als volkslied gebruikt. In het arrangement van David Well hoort u het lied eerst op de manier zoals velen het kennen. Na deze inleiding klinkt een stevige rock-versie en is de maatsoort niet meer de gebruikelijke. Het tussendeelis weer in de vertrouwde driekwarts-maatsoort. Hier is echter de ritmiek in een ander jasje gestoken. Na de rijkelijk met slingers versierde rock-beat klinkt nog één keer het oorspronkelijke thema om daarna feestelijk af.

SKU: CL.011-2114-02

The contrasting settings of ``O Come All Ye Faithful,’’ ``Silent Night,’’ and ``Joy to the World’’ make this arrangement a worthy addition to any Christmas program. Key and meter changes and different styles provide a useful teaching tool, while the more simplified parts allow the younger player to fully participate.

About C.L. Barnhouse Command Series

The Barnhouse Command Series includes works at grade levels 2, 2.5, and 3. This series is designed for middle school and junior high school bands, as well as high school bands of smaller instrumentation or limited experience. Command Series publications have a slightly larger instrumentation than the Rising Band Series, and are typically of larger scope, duration, and musical content.

SKU: CL.026-4679-00

Get your band into the holiday spirit with this unique and very playable work! Carols included are O Come All Ye Faithful, Deck The Halls, Silent Night, and Jingle Bells. You will find this unique arrangement musically and educationally satisfying, and this Build-A-Band edition is perfect for those ensembles with incomplete or awkward instrumentations. An excellent choice for your next holiday concert, Christmas Bells and Brass will appeal to audience and band members alike, and your band will sound like gold!

About Build-A-Band Series

The Build-A-Band Series provides educational and enjoyable music for bands with incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation. Written using just four or five parts (plus percussion), these effective arrangements will work with any combination of brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments as long as you distribute the parts so that each of the five parts is covered. All of the publications in the Build-A-Band Series have been arranged to be playable with any instrumentation as long as each part is used: 1st Part, 2nd Part, 3rd Part, 4th Part, and Bass Part. (Please note: In some of these arrangements the 4th Part, and the Bass Part are the same, making it possible to play those arrangements with only 4 parts.)

SKU: AP.36-M905601

ISBN 9798892700603. UPC: 659359856143. English. Transcribed by William H. Silvester.

The works in the Arthur Harris Christmas Series were originally written for orchestra, with several offering the option to add chorus. These transcriptions for band, both by William Silvester or Arthur Harris himself, retain the quality of the original orchestrations, offering bands the optional opportunity to perform with chorus during the Christmas season. Choral scores for each work are available separately. Band series with chorus includes: Silent Night, Joy to the World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful), The First Nowell, O Tannenbaum, and Angels We Have Heard on High. Transcriptions for band alone includes: O Little Town of Bethlehem, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

These products are currently being prepared by a new publisher. While many items are ready and will ship on time, some others may see delays of several months.

SKU: HL.44011188

UPC: 884088693947. 9x12 inches.

In A Flemish Christmas, Jan Hadermann tells the Christmas story by means of four old Flemish Christmas songs. First is Het was een maged uitverkoren (She was a virgin chosen), followed by Maria die zoude naar Bethlehem gaan (Mary would go to Bethlehem). O kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen (Oh Christmas Night, more beautiful than the days) is a stately chorale that sings the praises of Jesus' birth, followed by a visit from the three wise men in Wij komen van Oosten (We've come from the East). This marvelous setting ends with a festive repeat of the third movement, the stately chorale. Duration: 6:30 (Grade 3.5).