‘God rest ye merry Gentlemen’ is an ancient English carol. It was first published in 1833 but it can be traced as far back as the 15th century which makes it one of the oldest carols known. ‘God rest ye merry’ is a Middle English salutation. In this manner people wished one another greatness and might. In modern English the first line of this carol would read ‘May God keep you mighty gentlemen’. Andrew R. Mackereth has not kept to the original words in his up-tempo arrangement of the carol. It is still clearly recognizable but the arranger has taken a good many liberties. Sometimes a particular note is held longer at times motifs follow oneanother in various parts. If you listen carefully you may even be able to detect a motif from another well-known song.

A riotous romp through a collection of Christmas favourites A Windy Christmas is broadly based on Ding dong! Merrily on high; Angels from the realms of glory; O come all ye faithful; Silent Night; I saw three ships; Here we come a-wassailing; The Sussex Carol; God rest you merry gentlemen; Quelle est cette odeur agréable?; Jingle Bells; Away in a manger and We wish you a merry Christmas.The piece is scored for a standard brass quintet. It lasts 7' 30' but an optional cut can be made if performed as an encore reducing the length to 4' 35'.

Fantasy on Old Carols-Gustav Holst composed almost 200 works one being a very elegant and charming fantasy on the old English christmas carols: 'Good Christian Men Rejoice'; 'God Rest You Merry Gentlemen'; 'Come Ye Lofty Come' and 'The First Nowell'. The fantasy called Christmas Day was originally written for Mixed Choir with Orchestra or Organ accompaniment. Robert van Beringen has arranged this work for concert band exactly 100 years later. His arrangement can be performed as an instrumental piece or with a Choir making it suitable for any occasion.

In this festive medley Jan de Haan brings together a selection of the most famous Christmas songs from around the world. It features: O Come O Come Emmanuel God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Deck the Halls and Praise God Ye Christians Everywhere. Jan de Haan has created a work that will bring all the joy and happiness of the season to your Christmas concert.