Several years ago, I had a rather challenging lesson with one of my middle school students as we attempted to choose music for our upcoming Christmas recital. Maybe you can relate?
Our conversation went something like this:
Me: How about this arrangement of “Carol of the Bells?” That’s such a dramatic piece!
Student: I played that song last year.
Me: Okay. Well, this arrangement of “Silent Night” is so beautiful, don’t you think?
Student: I played “Silent Night” two Christmases ago!
Me: Alright. Well, I think this arrangement of “Up on the Housetop” is so much fun!
Student: But Miss Chrissy, that’s a little kid’s song!
It was at this point that I realized I needed to step up my game as far as Christmas music was concerned!
The following week, I sat down and wrote two Christmas “mash-ups” using familiar Christmas tunes. I gave these mash-ups creative titles (no way could my student claim that he played this one last year!) and demonstrated them for my student at the next week’s lesson.
The response: a big smile and a, “That’s so cool! Can I try it?”
And so began my “Medley Magic” series!
The series has now grown to include two volumes of holiday “mash-ups” that have proven to be hits with my students over and over, at many subsequent holiday recitals. I’m confident that the same thing will happen in your studio!
Medley Magic: Volume 1 (Early Intermediates)
Medley Magic: Volume 1, for early intermediates, features a variety of Christmas favorites that intertwine to create one-of-a-kind, recital-worthy arrangements. These two mash-ups below are the ones that started it all–and they’ve proven to be holiday student-savers time and time again!
1. “What Carol of the Bells Is This”
This medley is a fun spin on two minor-key favorites!
This piece is also available as a sheet music single:
2. “Jolly Jingle Bells Boogie”
This medley features two perennial favorites in a fresh jazzy setting!
This piece is also available as a sheet music single:
Medley Magic: Volume 2 (Intermediates)
Medley Magic: Volume 2, for intermediates, includes beloved Christmas carols combined with well-known classical pieces. These have been wonderful pieces for not only my students’ holiday recitals, but also for my own holiday gigs and Christmas church services.
1. “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Do you cringe when you get a request for “The 12 Days of Christmas”? Here’s a fun ragtime version featuring Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” that you will actually enjoy teaching—and your piano parents will thank you, too!
This piece is also available as a sheet music single:
2. “O Holy Night”
This beautiful medley of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “O Holy Night” has proven to be a popular selection for both holiday performances and church services.
This piece is also available as a sheet music single:
So, if you find that your ‘tweens and teens are less than enthusiastic about choosing Christmas music this year…maybe you just need a little “Medley Magic.”
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