Vince Gassi

Two timeless Christmas carols are expertly woven together in this joyous offering. “Once in Royal David's City” and “Good King Wenceslas” melodically intertwine throughout, affording you the opportunity to adorn your holiday concert with the resplendent sounds of Christmas. Every section, including percussion, is featured, and like snow falling gently on treetops, the harmonies will caress your audiences with warmth on a crisp winter's night. Crackling fire not included.

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. Adorn your holiday concerts with this charming new setting of a familiar English carol. To open, we hear a jubilant proclamation leading to a presentation of the melody in 4/4 by the trumpets, supported with clarinets and light percussion. Soon, the low brass revels in the theme while the woodwinds festoon and decorate. Spirits are lifted with a change of key until we are gradually transported to a gentle variation in 3/4 where all is calm. It isn't long before we hear the exuberant melody again and all is brought to a joyous conclusion. You'll be programming this one for years to come. 

Get ready for an abundance of merriment! This work features carols that have been traditionally sung in Canada for many years and will help to create a spirit of mirth in no time. It opens with the joyous strains of "Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant" (He is Born, The Divine Child) and continues with the plaintive and modal "Noël Nouvelet (Sing We Now of Christmas)." "The Huron Carol" ('Twas In the Moon of Wintertime) is then presented with remnants of "Noël Nouvelet" cleverly woven in. The dramatic conclusion develops brief dialogue between "Good King Wenceslas" and "Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant" that brings the work to an exuberant and powerful close. Juxtaposing the lyrical and expressive with the joyous and cheerful in this masterful arrangement will add a little touch of Canada to your next holiday concert.

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. “The Huron Carol” is Canada's oldest Christmas carol, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary. The melody is from a tradition French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" (A Young Maid). Intended as a gift and teaching aid to the Huron people, Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in their native language. The Moon of Winter is a powerful and moving adaptation of this carol for band that will enhance your next Christmas concert, adding a sense of reverence and honor.

This delightful arrangement of "Ding Dong Merrily on High" is sure to become a seasonal favorite with students and audiences alike. This popular Canadian composer’s joyous harmonies and cheerful rhythms will immediately put you in the Christmas spirit.

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. With skill, artistry, and a touch of sugar frosting, Vince Gassi has crafted another Christmas favorite. This lovely arrangement is based on a 17th century English carol. The melody is presented in a variety of keys and meters while a sense of joy and warmth is maintained throughout this uplifting work.

As the title suggests, three popular carols are combined to create a cheerful holiday setting that is sure to brighten the mood of the season. Good King Wenceslas opens the piece on a very festive note, followed by a lyric yet energetic presentation of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. The piece closes with The First Noel for a musical and full-sounding finish that will leave a warm and satisfying feeling for all.

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. The Christmas classic, We Three Kings, just got "swingified". It starts off in dorian mode and it keeps swingin' throughout. An alto sax solo followed by an ensemble shout section provides contrast to the catchy "Jazz Waltzification" of the head. Trumpet range is to fourth space E. But then again, all instrument ranges keep this cookin' chart easy to execute. Band and audience are sure to dig. (2:19)

This delightful string orchestra arrangement is sure to become a seasonal favorite with students and audiences alike. The joyous harmonies and cheerful rhythms will immediately put you in the Christmas spirit. (2:30)

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. “The Huron Carol” is Canada's oldest Christmas carol, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary. The melody is from a tradition French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" (A Young Maid). Intended as a gift and teaching aid to the Huron people, Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in their native language. The Moon of Winter is a powerful and moving adaptation of this carol for string orchestra that will enhance your next Christmas concert, adding a sense of reverence and honor

J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice. Take one traditional English carol, change the meter, insert a slow middle section, add a dash of counterpoint, and sprinkle liberally with sparkly Christmas dust. Mix with orchestra and audience members and you have the perfect recipe for your next holiday concert. Good cheer is guaranteed to follow.

This arrangement for full orchestra is sure to become a seasonal favourite with students and audiences alike. The joyous harmonies and cheerful rhythms will immediately put you in the Christmas spirit. (2:30)

You’ll have no trouble getting into the Christmas spirit with this delicious adaptation of a traditional English Carol. Coated with a layer of sugar frosting, this piece will warm you up with its charming variations. You'll feel as though you were sitting in front of a crackly fire sipping hot cocoa on a crisp wintry night. Good feelings guaranteed!! CONTACT VINCE TO OBTAIN THIS ARRANGEMENT.

Stocking Stuffers: 10 Short Christmas Duets with Piano
LEVEL: Easy

It won't take long to get into the Christmas spirit with these refreshing versions of your favorite Christmas carols. Each selection can be played as a stand alone duet or with piano accompaniment. These arrangements are fun and easy and will make a perfect addition to any Christmas concert or holiday celebration. Also available with these arrangements are beautiful, lush orchestral accompaniment tracks, available for free download (see below). These stunning and colorful scorings would make a special addition to a church service or school event. Simply download whichever MP3s you want and play them through speakers and have the instrumentalists play along. Pieces include Good King Wenceslas, Holly and the Ivy, Huron Carol, Jingle Bells, O Christmas Tree, Silent Night, Up on the Rooftop, Little Drummer Boy, We Three Kings and Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Available for the following instruments: Flutes, Clarinets, Eb Saxophones, Trumpets, F Horns, F Horns - stand alone version *,    Trombones, Tubas.

* This stand alone version cannot be used in combination with the others in the series. It has been transposed to best suit the range of horn players at this level.

Available through EIGHTH NOTE PUBLICATIONS

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS (18.8MB zip file).