How to Select the Perfect Christmas Music for Your Choral Group
Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and music. For choral groups, it's an opportunity to spread the festive spirit and share the story of Christmas through song. But how do you choose the best Christmas music for your choral group? In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the steps to ensure you select the perfect repertoire that resonates with your group and captivates your audience. Whether you're a seasoned choir director or just starting, these tips will help you make informed choices.
1. Understand Your Choral Group:
Before diving into the world of Christmas music, it's crucial to understand your choral group's strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Consider factors such as:
* Vocal Range: Assess the vocal range of your singers. Do you have strong sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, or is your group more balanced? This will help you choose music that showcases their abilities.
* Skill Level: Gauge the skill level of your choral group. Are they experienced singers who can handle complex harmonies, or are they beginners who need simpler arrangements?
* Size: Take into account the size of your group. Larger choirs can perform more intricate pieces, while smaller groups may benefit from songs with fewer vocal parts.
* Musical Preferences: Consider the musical tastes of your choir members. Do they prefer traditional carols, contemporary Christian songs, or a mix of both? Understanding your choral group's characteristics will lay the foundation for your music selection process.
2. Embrace Tradition with Classic Carols: Traditional Christmas carols have a timeless appeal that resonates with audiences of all ages. Classics like "Silent Night," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and "O Holy Night" are not only musically beautiful but also carry profound meaning. They tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, making them ideal choices for choral performances with a Christian worldview.
3. Explore Variety in Christmas Music: While traditional carols are wonderful choices, don't limit yourself. Explore a wide range of Christmas music, including:
* Contemporary Christian Songs: These songs combine modern musical elements with Christian themes. Consider pieces like "Mary, Did You Know?" or "Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)" for a fresh take on the Christmas story.
* Secular Christmas Songs: While the focus is on Christian themes, incorporating a few secular Christmas songs like "Jingle Bells" or "Winter Wonderland" can add variety and fun to your repertoire, especially if you have a diverse or younger audience. Even songs about Santa Claus may be appropriate if his origin as Saint Nicholas is revealed.
4. Consider the Message and Lyrics:
The lyrics of the chosen songs are of paramount importance, especially when selecting music with a Christian worldview. Ensure that the lyrics align with the spiritual significance of Christmas. Look for songs that convey the themes of love, hope, peace, and the birth of Jesus Christ.
5. Match Songs to Your Choral Group's Abilities:
Once you've explored various Christmas songs, it's time to match them to your choral group's abilities. Consider the following:
* Vocal Range: Choose music that falls within your singers' vocal ranges. Avoid songs with extremely high or low notes that might strain their voices.
* Complexity: Assess the complexity of the harmonies and arrangements. Select pieces that your group can comfortably master within your rehearsal time.
* Choral Size: Adapt your music choices to your choral group's size. Smaller groups may excel in a cappella arrangements, while larger choirs can tackle more intricate compositions.
6. Mix Familiar and Less-Known Songs:
Balance your repertoire by mixing familiar songs with lesser-known pieces. While traditional carols are beloved classics, introducing songs that are new, less-famous and from other cultures can arouse the interest of your audience and challenge your choral group.
Some newer songs make great choral arrangements. The choices here would depend on your taste or the taste of your choral group. Examples of other carols that are less-famous or from other cultures include "Children, Go Where I Send Thee", a traditional African American spiritual, "I Wonder as I Wander" by American author John Jacob Niles, "In dulci jubilo", a 15th century carol often sung to the tune of “Good Christian Men Rejoice” and whose lyrics are a mixture of Latin and English, and “Adeste Fideles”, the original Latin version of “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful”.
7. Involve Your Choral Group in the Decision-Making:
Engage your choir members in the music selection process. Encourage them to share their favorite Christmas songs or pieces they feel passionately about. Involving your singers creates a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for the chosen repertoire.
8. Practice and Rehearse Diligently:
Once you've finalized your Christmas music selections, dedicate ample time to practice and rehearsal. A well-rehearsed choir delivers a more polished and emotionally impactful performance.
9. Adapt to Your Audience:
Consider the audience you'll be performing for. If your audience consists primarily of Christians, you can focus on songs with a strong Christian message. For diverse audiences, include songs that celebrate the broader themes of Christmas, such as love, unity, and goodwill. However, don’t dilute the true meaning of Christ’s incarnation.
10. Share the Christmas Story Through Music:
Remember that your choral performance is an opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with your audience. Encourage your singers to not only sing the notes but also convey the emotions and message behind the songs. Use spoken word or narrations between songs to tell the story of Jesus' birth if appropriate. Also, remember that the word “Christmas” is short for the Old English “Cristes maesse”, meaning the incarnation of the Savior of the world. So, to detract from its original meaning is to rob the holiday of its celebration of the real source of love, unity, goodwill, and peace.
In conclusion, choosing the best Christmas music for your choral group involves a thoughtful and tailored approach. Understand your choral group's characteristics, explore a diverse range of songs, and consider the message and lyrics of each piece. Match the songs to your group's abilities, involve your singers in the decision-making process, and practice diligently. By following these steps, you can create a memorable and spiritually meaningful choral performance that celebrates the joy and essence of Christmas.
Salt Cellar Creations understands the beauty and power that a Choral Group can convey, especially at Christmas time. We currently have no completed Christmas music, (some is in the works) but we can compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces. For other available choral music, explore the offerings HERE.
We have sold music not only in the US but in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Please CONTACT US to let us know what we can do for you!