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.

Here's a delightful collage to kick off a holiday concert. John Wasson has combined five fabulous standards into a medley that will make your band sound like the Boston Pops. Includes: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year Silver Bells The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas and I'll Be Home For Christmas.

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire-One of the best-loved Christmas songs of all time. You'll play Michael's easy yet rich-sounding setting at holiday concerts year after year.

The Christmas Song composé par Mel Torme et Robert Wells au cours d?une chaude journée de l?été 1946 est un des plus célèbres noëls de tous les temps. Les paroles descriptives illustrent des ambiances traditionnelles de Noël : les marrons grillés au feu de bois l?air vif qui pique le nez etc. Nat King Cole a été le premier à enregistrer cette chanson en 1947. Elle est devenue instantanément un classique du répertoire de Noël.

The famous Christmas classic Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire arranged for Concert Band by Jerry Nowak.

Les Anges dans nos campagnes-The title of this clever arrangement reveals the Christmas song it is based on. The melody can be traced back to a French folksong from the 18th century which is now known around the world. In France it is called Les anges dans nos campagnes in Germany it is most widely known as Engel auf den Feldern singen and in England it was originally called Angels From the Realms of Glory but it often known as Angels We Have Heard on High. Everyone will rejoice upon hearing the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ refrain!

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire-Masterfully arranged for very young players this timeless holiday favorite will be a hit on any Christmas concert. This version retains chromatic elements inherent in the original however ranges and rhythms have been simplified to make this one very manageable to learn.

The Christmas Carol of Joseph-Halvdan Sivertsen (born 1950) is one of the most popular singer/ songwriters in Norway. He is well know as a first-class storyteller and he has a strong melodic line in all his music. This Christmas song was first recorded in 1991 and it has become a Norwegian classic. The lyrics tell the story of a couple travelling through time to find a city with bright lights where they hear people sing about the couple who are about to have their first baby. But still this couple can not find anybody willing to help them and they are forced to go back 2000 years to find the stable where they find some shelter. Maybe they should have travelled further ahead in time in the firstplace to find people willing to open their door to the poor and needing?

Rondeau of the Shepherds ' so ran the official title of the famous Dutch Christmas carol ‘Midden in de winternacht’. In 1948 wrote Dutch poet and writer Harry Prenen this text. The melody is known by the 17th/18th- century organ composers of suites Daquin Balbastre and Dandrieu. 'Rondeau of the Shepherds' was subtitled 'Catalan Christmas Carol'. The song itself is because its origins in a Spanish (Catalan probably) Christmas song from the late Middle Ages 'El Desembre congelat. The motives of this song (shepherds flutes drums) demonstrate knowledge of the Bible and give a picture of the late medieval Christmas experience. . Perfect as an uptempo intermezzoin a church service.

‘Christmas Colours’ is a palette consisting of several Christmas songs. Bruce Fraser has mainly used the colours green (the colour of holly) and white (the colour of snow). This composition begins with the chiming of festive bells - if you listen well however you can already hear short fragments from 'The Holly and the Ivy' whose entire melody is finally played alternated with 'The Sussex Carol'. After this the pace slows down and the stately 'See amid the Winter Snow' sounds but parts from 'Jingle Bells' and 'Silent Night' can also be heard. Then after walking under 'The Holly and the Ivy' once again the celebration of Christmas may begin!

A collection of Christmas arrangements which can be played by full band or by individual soloists with optional CD or tape accompaniment. Each song is correlated with a specific page in the Esssential Elements Method Books. Includes: Jingle Bells - We Wish You a Merry Christmas - The Chanukkah Song - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - and many more!

A collection of Christmas arrangements which can be played by full band or by individual soloists with optional CD or tape accompaniment. Each song is correlated with a specific page in the Esssential Elements Method Books. Includes: Jingle Bells - We Wish You a Merry Christmas - The Chanukkah Song - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - and many more!

A collection of Christmas arrangements which can be played by full band or by individual soloists with optional CD or tape accompaniment. Each song is correlated with a specific page in the Essential Elements Method Books. Includes: Jingle Bells - We Wish You a Merry Christmas - The Chanukkah Song - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - and many more!

A collection of Christmas arrangements which can be played by full band or by individual soloists with optional CD or tape accompaniment. Each song is correlated with a specific page in the Essential Elements Method Books. Includes: Jingle Bells - We Wish You a Merry Christmas - The Chanukkah Song - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - and many more!