On Christmas Day - SATB divisi Ensemble by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Divisi - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1169891

On Christmas Day is a medley of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and "I Saw Three Ships" by Mark R Lewis. John Baptiste Calkin wrote the music for "I Heard the Bells" in 1872 as an adaptation of the earlier poem "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. "I Saw Three Ships" is an English carol thought to originate from the 17th century, though the lyrics used is most modern arrangements come from later published versions.

This arrangement is intended to be performed by SATB divisi choir and accompanied by a 3-5 octave handbell choir. All four voice parts pass the melody back and forth and are featured at different times and explore different vocal and accompaniment styles throughout the piece. Most intermediate choirs should be able to perform this piece, although the basses and alto should be able to sing down to a D2 or an F3 respectively (there are optional notes if this is too low). The handbell part is not particularly difficult but is active across the whole ensemble and uses mallets through one of the middle verses. There are also several key changes that will require quick bell changes or sharing of bells. It is also worth noting that "I Heard the Bells" is in 4/4 and "I Saw Three Ships is in 6/8.

This download includes a piano and choir score for when handbells are not an option as well as the handbell sheet music. Handbells are the preferred accompaniment, although it will still sound good with just piano.