Our General Holidays Music Catalog.

For Christmas, Chanukah, and Patriotic pops, click on the "Christmas" or "Americana" links to the left.

Click on the note () icon to hear that selection in MP3 format.
Click on the individual titles for rental pricing, instrumentation, and order details.

MP3 Title Composed (Arranged)
An Irish Trilogy   (3 Irish songs for Saint Patrick's Day Can also be sung.)    (Robert Wendel)
Reel Kool   (2 dance reels for Saint Patrick's Day)    (Robert Wendel)
The April Fool Concerto   (aka The Instant Concerto, for April Fool's Day)    (Robert Wendel)
Romp For Symphony Orch and Celebrity Triangulist   (A truly funny work for April Fool's Day)    Richard Chiarappa
The Wolf Was Framed!   (A new and TRUE retelling of a childhood story for April Fool's Day)    Robert Wendel
Saint Bailey's Rag   (a New Orleans style Dixieland march for Mardi Gras)    (Robert Wendel)
Fiesta Mexicana   (3 Mexican standards for Cinco de Mayo)    (Robert Wendel)
Regalos   (From the Spanish for "Gifts," here is a love letter to Mexico for Cinco de Mayo)    Nancy Bloomer Deussen
Balli Il Tarantella   (2 Tarantellas for Columbus Day)    (Robert Wendel)
Viva Puccini!   (5 Puccini melodies for Columbus Day)    (Robert Wendel)
The Poltergeist Polka   (a noisy romp for orchestra for Halloween)    Robert Wendel
A Halloween Trilogy   (A Suite of 3 Halloween pieces for orchestra. Individual movements below)    Robert Wendel
        The Pit And The Pendulum   (after Edgar Allen Poe's thriller, for Halloween)    Robert Wendel
        Trick Or Treat   (A musical romp through the neighborhood seeking Halloween Treats)    Robert Wendel
        Ride Of The Headless Horseman   (From the classic Halloween tale by Washington Irving.)    Robert Wendel
The Rocky Horror Picture Show   (A medley of songs from this midnight showing cult horror musical.)    (Robert Wendel)
Hymn Of Thanksgiving   (For Thanksgiving, performable with or without voices.)    (Robert Wendel)
Thats It, Thats all... The End!   (Auld Lang Syne plus 7 symphony finales for New Year's Eve)    (Robert Wendel)
Detailed listings

Saint Patrick's Day / Celtic Concert

AN IRISH TRILOGY

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A medley of My Wild Irish Rose, Irish Lullaby and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. Although arranged for orchestra alone, it can easily be sung by any "irish tenor."
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, harp, and strings
Duration:4:20
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:Commissioned by the West Virginia Symphony

REEL KOOL

Arr.: David Culross
Description: Be it a Celtic, Scottish, or American Country theme, this medley of "Reel Saint-Joseph" and "Reel Saint-Antoine" for 2 violins and orchestra will have toes tapping and hands clapping. Add Irish or clog dancers too if you wish... just have fun with this one!
Instrumentation:2-2-2-2/4-3-3-1/timp +3 and strings with 2 solo violins.
Duration:Approximately 3:05
Rental Fee:$180/+$90/+$45 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

The Spring Holidays

THE APRIL FOOL CONCERTO aka "The Instant Concerto"

by Robert Wendel
Description: What can be said other than that this work lasts over 8 minutes, yet it doesn't have a single original theme in it! It's loaded with quotes Tschaikovsky to Sousa, from "Chop-Sticks" to Happy Birthday, and many "sight-gags" from a wedding to a cowboy gun fight! Truly a piece of comic relief. Mod easy solo piano part.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/2/2/1[opt] - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:8:15
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:New version commissioned by Erich Kunzel for the Cincinnati Pops

SAINT BAILEY'S RAG for "Mardi Gras"

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A Dixieland-style march made from When the Saint's Go Marching In, Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey, and 12th Street Rag. A perennial Cincinnati Pops Encore!
Comments: "...[he] threw in everything but the kitchen sink...great fun!" — The Portland Press Herald
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:30
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com

FIESTA MEXICANA for "Cinco de Mayo"

arranged by Robert Wendel
Newly revised!
Description: The Mexican Hat Dance, La Cucaracha, and the Ritchie Valens', rock-and-roll version of La Bamba in a medley with a Mariachi feel.
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/0 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:4:30
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

REGALOS for "Cinco de Mayo"

by Nancy Bloomer Deussen
Description: This is a wonderful montage of "south-of-the-border" dances and moods. Great for any pops concert, but absolutely perfect for "Cinco de Mayo", or a youth/educational concert showing various musical styles.
Instumentation:2[1 d picc]/2[1 d E Hrn]/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, 3-4 perc - [opt] Harp, and strings.
Duration:4:50
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

Columbus Day

VIVA PUCCINI!

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A medley of some famous melodies from Madamma Butterfly, Girl of the Golden West, Gianni Schicci, La Boheme, and Turandot.
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, and strings
Duration:7:00
Rental Fee:$280/+$140/+$70 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each)..
Notes:Commissioned by the Jacksonville Symphony
Notes:This piece was the hit of our "That's Amore" program. At both concerts, it received a standing ovation! - Karen Peters, Orlando Philharmonic Librarian.

BALLI IL TARANTELLA!

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: Everybody dance the tarantella! A blend of the "Neapolitan Tarantella" and "Funiculi, Funicula." Also appropriate for a "June Bride" theme since this music shows up at every wedding reception you'll ever attend!
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2+ B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:3:35
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:Commissioned and premiered by Michael Krajewski.

Halloween

THE POLTERGEIST POLKA

by Robert Wendel
Description: Poltergeist: noun: "a ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances such as loud noises and objects thrown around." Well, this piece certainly fits that definition, with loud noises, whistles, bangs and more. Great fun for any audience and it's the perfect concert opener to set the stage for a Halloween Pops or youth concert!
Instumentation:2+picc/2/2+ B Cl/2+CBsn - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-4 percussion, opt banjo, and strings
Duration:3:00
Rental Fee:$190/+$95/+$47.50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

A HALLOWEEN TRILOGY

by Robert Wendel
 
Description: You may rent all three works below as a package for $280!!!
Component Works:
  • THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

    An original composition based on the famous short story by Edgar Allan Poe: The Inquisition, The Pit, The Pendulum, The Walls Close In, A Blast of Noise and Liberation by the French Army. Great for Halloween, literary or educational concerts.
    Instrumentation: 2/2/2/2 - 4/2/3/1 - Timpani, Xylophone, Glock, Tam-Tam, Susp Cymbal, Guerro, Tenor Drum, Piatti and Bass Drum, and Strings.
    Duration: 5:20
    Rental Fee: $175/+$87.50/+$43.75 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

  • TRICK OR TREAT

    This work harks back to a simpler time when children went from house to house yelling "trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, give us something good to eat!" Along the way, they pick up friends, spend a little time in the local "haunted house" and then resume their trip. Finally, someone scares them but good, and they all scatter to their respective homes to enjoy the fruits of their Halloween night.
    Instrumentation: 2/2/2/2 - 0/0/0/0 - Xylophone, Snare Drum, Susp Cymbal, and Strings.


    Alternate Instrumentation for pairing with "Peter & The Wolf": 1/1/1/1 - 3/1/0/0 - Xylophone, Snare Drum, Susp Cymbal, and Strings. Specify "Peter Orch" when ordering!
    Duration: 3:40
    Rental Fee: $125/+$62.50/+$31.25 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

  • RIDE OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN

    An original composition based on the Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Creepy sounds of the foggy forrest, the clock strikes midnight, the horse rears up, and the chase is on until the Headless Horseman traps Ichabod Crane on the covered bridge and "the deed is done!"
    Instrumentation: 2+picc/1+E Hn/2+B Cl./2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Mark Tree, Xylophone, Glock, Chimes, Tam-Tam, Triangle, Piatti and Bass Drum, Harp, and Strings.
    Duration: 5:25
    Rental Fee: $200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

Duration:15 minutes total performance time.
Rental Fee:$300 Combined Rental
Notes:A truly international hit with performances in the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Scotland.
Notes:Bob Wendel's electrifying tone poem "The Ride of the Headless Horseman" is back by popular demand. (Steve Larsen, Music Director, Rockford Symphony)
Notes:A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at iTunes, and Amazon.com

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Medley)

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description A midnight showing cult-classic film for nearly 40 years, revived on Broadway in 2000, featured in the TV show "Glee" in 2010, and touring nearly constantly around the world, and available for symphony orchestra at last! Reach out to your younger audiences with this Rock-oriented show score. Songs include: Science Fiction Double Feature, Damn It Janet, Over At The Frankenstein Place, Hot Patootie Bless My Soul, and of course, LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Mark Tree, Xylophone, Glock, Chimes, Tam-Tam and Bass Drum, opt Piano, and Strings
Duration:5:45
Rental Fee:$240/+$120/+$60 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:A student orchestra string set with Vln 1, Vln, 2, Violin 3/Viola, Cello and Bass parts available on request. A truly international hit with performances in the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Scotland.

THE WOLF WAS FRAMED!

by Robert Wendel
New!
Description: The "adult version" of a musical tale you grew up with, this one is probably not for the youngest children. Add a local "celebrity" narrator, and you have a fun work for your orchestra and audience perfect for a pops concert, April Fool's Day, Halloween or "First Night" concert. The music and narration are all new and original, and the orchestration exactly matches Prokofiev's orchestration.
Instrumentation:1/1/1/1 - 3/1/1/0 - timp, perc and Strings.
Duration:About 9:30
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:Premiered by the Cherokee Symphony, 10/30/11

Thanksgiving

HYMN OF THANKSGIVING "We Gather Together"

arranged by Robert Wendel
Description: A new setting of this nearly 400 year old hymn for orchestra as small as you need or as large as you want.
Instrumentation:2+picc/1+E Hrn/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, celeste, opt organ, and strings. It can be performed as an instrumental selection, or soloists and/or chorus can be added as well.
Duration:3:15
Rental Fee:$160/+$80/+$40 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Vocal parts can be furnished on rental for 10¢ each.
Notes:This work was featured by Erich Kunzel and The Cincinnati Pops as the finale of their 1999 Thanksgiving Television special.

New Year's Eve / "First Night"

THAT'S IT, THAT'S ALL... THE END!

by Robert Wendel
Description: For your "First Night" concerts, the perfect way to end the year, a medley of 7 famous Symphony finales! Auld Lang Syne is mixed with Schubert, Brahms, Dvorak, Mahler, and Beethoven. A nice way also to say goodbye to a retiring board member, or musician.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:5:40
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).

THE WOLF WAS FRAMED!

by Robert Wendel
New!
Description: The "adult version" of a musical tale you grew up with, this one is definitely NOT for the youngest children. Add a local "celebrity" narrator, and you have a fun work for your orchestra and audience perfect for a pops concert, April Fool's Day, Halloween or "First Night" concert. The music and narration are all new and original, and the orchestration exactly matches Prokofiev's orchestration.
Instrumentation:1/1/1/1 - 3/1/1/0 - timp, perc and Strings.
Duration:About 9:30
Rental Fee:$200/+$100/+$50 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:Premiered by the Cherokee Symphony, 10/30/11
Notes:"...wanted to tell you that it was a terrific hit with both the players and the audience last Sunday. We played to a standing room only house that laughed all the way through. Thanks for writing this."
Lee Thorson, The Cherokee Symphony

ROMP FOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND "CELEBRITY" TRIANGULIST

by Richard Chiarappa
New!
Description: A comic "mini-concerto" for triangle and orchestra that can be a great way to raise funds by auctioning off the solo spot, or just to draw attention and audience to a concert by featuring a local "celebrity" like your Mayor, TV Weather Reporter, or Business or Civic figure. In any case, it's all in good fun, and perfect for the spirit of New Year's Eve!
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, perc and Strings.
Duration:About 2:30
Rental Fee:$120/+$60/+$30 - ($1st perf/+$2nd perf/+$3rd perf or more each).
Notes:A video performance can be viewed HERE

Click here to view our selection of Christmas music.

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