White Christmas is one of the best loved of all Christmas songs. While sung bycountless artists over the years, it is synonymous with its original performer,Bing Crosby, who nailed the originalrecording with orchestra and singers in under eighteen minutes. Written by Irving Berlin in 1941, the songreached its audience via the 1942 movie bearing the same name. This version, arrangedas a duet for one Clarinet and Alto Saxophone, is true to the original in structure and feel. There are two verses, one reflectingCrosby’s free phrasing, and the second, copying the stricter phrasing of the singersand orchestra.

Musicians at an intermediate standard will findthis ideal for formal and informal Christmas performances, with both partsenjoying plenty of interest. There are a few moderately difficult rhythms and someless familiar accidentals. Total performance time is around three minutes. The short audio sample is from the Clarinet and Alto Saxophone version while the full-length performance on the youtube link is the Clarinet Duet.

Teachers will enjoy using this arrangement as a fun way toapproach expressive playing.