Christmas traditional

Two for Christmas

Roland Kernen
Key: B flat major, E flat major and F major

Transeamus usque Bethlehem

The German composer, violinist, organist, conductor and music teacher Joseph Ignaz Schnabel
composed masses, hymns, vespers, military music and a clarinet concerto.
His choral work "Transeamus usque Bethlehem" is still performed worldwide.
Wil van der Beek has created an excellent arrangement of the piece for Concert Band,
which does absolute justice to the original.

Music: Josef Schnabel
Arrangement: Wil van der Beek
Key: F major

Silent Night

Silent Night was written by the Austrian composer and organist Franz Gruber
on 24 December 1818, commissioned by the priest of St Nicholas’ Church in Oberndorf.
Who could have imagined back then that this song, with its romantic character, would one day be translated into 150
languages and sung all over the world? Jacob de Haan wrote this
superb arrangement for concert band with optional male choir.

Arrangement: Jacob de Haan
Difficulty: 2+
Key: B flat major

Cantique de Noël / O Holy Night

The 19th-century Christmas carol *Cantique de Noël* by Adolphe Charles Adam
was at the time criticised by church authorities for its lack of good taste and the absence of
religious sentiment. But they were wrong: the song is popular all over the world
and is still sung frequently – even in churches. Roland Kernen presents a beautiful
version for Concert Band here.

Arrangement: Roland Kernen
Difficulty: 2+
Key: E flat major

Aber Heidschi Bumbeidschi

Arrangement: Franz Watz
Grade: 2 (easy)

‘A Christmas March’ is a lively, easy-to-play piece
suitable for the opening or closing of a Christmas concert.

The main theme of this march is original, though here and there
Philip Sparke has peppered the piece with allusions
to well-known Christmas carols. His choices include:

Adeste Fidelis (Come, O Faithful), Deck the Halls,
Good King Wenceslas and Jingle Bells.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen forms the trio section of the march.

A lovely new yet familiar-sounding Christmas piece!

Concert Band edition