"Offering high-quality, custom-sounding symphony pops, holiday, youth/educational,
and NEW accessible classical music at mass-market prices since 1990!"
Contact Us
- Mailing Address
- Robert Wendel Music
467 W 163rd St, 3rd Fl
New York City, NY 10032 - Voice / Fax
- (212) 928-9094
Christmas
Chanukah
Orchestra Only
CARIBBEAN SLEIGH RIDE
by Robert Wendel
 |
 |
| Description: | As it gets cold outside, turn up the holiday heat with this fast merengue full of congas, guira, temple blocks, whip cracks, and authentic Latin rhythms. This will be a fun surprise for all at any holiday concert. | Comments: | 2010 Premiere cycle included: The Orlando Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Anderson Symphony, Desert Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, and TV broadcast premiere by The Flint Symphony. | Comments: | "Not that there weren't fun surprises among the Christmas fare, too: A percussive bounce permeated "Caribbean Sleigh Ride" by Robert Wendel as island-flavored snippets of carols such as "Jingle Bells" bubbled over the beat." — Matt Palm - The Orlando Sentinel Nov. 27, 2010 |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2+ opt B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - 3-4 percussion, harp[opt], piano[opt], and strings |
| Duration: | 4 minutes |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
STILL, STILL, STILL
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A new setting of the traditional Austrian Carol for small orchestra with very easy optional wordless boy choir, childrens or womens chorus. |
| Instrumentation: | 2/1+E Hn/0/0 -0/0/0/0 - 3 perc, celeste, harp, and Violins 1 & 2 and violas only. |
| Duration: | 2:50 |
| Cost: | $125 Rental Only. 20 chorus books provided. Additional books are available at 25¢ each. |
CAROL OF THE BELLS
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | GO WILD if you care to with this free-wheeling arrangement of a traditional Ukranian carol which includes optional parts for as many metallic pitched instruments as you want, including glock, chimes, bell tree, hand bells, and even 3-pitched "Turandot" gongs! This one is a show stopper. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp[opt], celeste[opt, or piano opt], and strings - Plus parts for optional HANDBELL choir and 3 pitched "Turandot" gongs or low bells. |
| Duration: | 3:40 |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. |
| Notes: | Optional set of handbell parts available upon request. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
IN THE MANGER
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | Away In a Manger and Gesu Bambino are combined with a bit of "Venite Adoremus" in a truly beautiful musical Christmas picture. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/1+E Hn/2/2 - 4/0/opt 3/ - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, celeste, and strings + optional HANDBELL choir. |
| Duration: | 3:45 |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
BRASSY HOLIDAYS
by Scott Hale (pictured)
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone & Tuba plus opt Timpani, 2-3 Percussion, and (ad lib) Organ. |
| Duration: | 2:45 |
| Cost: | $110 Rental Only. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
CHRISTMAS MORNING
by Christopher Nickel (pictured)
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2+EHn/2+ BCl/2+CBn - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 3 percussion, harp, celeste/piano-keyboard, and strings. |
| Duration: | 4:45 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. | Notes: | Mr. Nickel's awards include the 2004 Gold Metal for Best Action Score at the Park City Film Music Festival, the 2002 Golden Key International Performing Arts Award for Musical Composition, two 2009 JPF awards for "Best Contemporary Classical Album" as well as "Best Contemporary Classical Song" for Horizons, and two Leo Award nominations in the category of Best Score - Feature Length Drama for the films Loaded Dice and Thirst. | Notes: | 2011 Premiere cycle included the Atlanta Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony. |
CHRISTMAS FANTASIA
arranged by David Culross (pictured)
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 3 (1d recorder, 3d picc)/2/2+ B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 3 percussion, harp, piano-keyboard, and strings. |
| Duration: | 4:45 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
FANFARE & CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
arranged by David Culross
|
|
| Description: | After an opening fanfare for brass, which can be performed with antiphonal placement in the balconies we are given new treatments of "Sing We Now Of Christmas," and "Angels We Have Heard On High" for the strings, winds and percussion before the brass rejoin (on stage) for the finale on "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing!" |
| Instrumentation: | 3(3d picc)/2/2+ B Cl/2 - 3/3/3/1 - Timpani, 3 percussion, harp, piano-keyboard, and strings. |
| Duration: | 4:15 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. | Notes: | This work was commissioned and premiered by the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2010. |
COVENTRY CAROL
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A Christmas Classic for Chimes, Harp, & Strings, arranged in the style of Vaughan Williams. Optional handbell parts available. |
| Comments: | "...the stand out was his arrangement of the beautiful "Coventry Carol," which was full-bodied and richly scented with Vaughan Williams-like harmonies." — Andrew Lane, cond. Florida West Coast Sym. - Sarasota Herald-Tribune |
| Instrumentation: | |
| Duration: | 3:40 |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS SUITE
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A classical Christmas suite. As equally at home on a year-end subscription concert as it is at a Holiday Pops concert, this suite draws its energy from 4 classical works kept as "in tact" as possible while giving full nod to the Christmas spirit! |
| Individual Movements: |
|
| Comments: |
"(Steven) Reineke brought us something really different in Robert Wendel's variation on a classic theme- "Little Bolero Boy." Combining Ravel with the Katherine K. Davis classic had me looking at something fresh in the familiar music, though I did feel a little naughty as the inevitable build happened. There's no other word but WOW! — "Swingin' Christmas" with NY Pops, "Q onStage" by Sherri Rase December, 2011 "This brilliantly clever composition, (you'd swear you were listening to Bolero, although it was clearly The Little Drummer Boy), was a thrilling toe tapper — possessing the same relentlessly hypnotic pulsations as the original piece." — Stewart Schulman, Theaterscene.net January 1, 2012 "Outstanding among all those smart arrangers was the work of Connecticut born Robert Wendel. Responsible for two other highlights ("In The Manger" and "We Need A Little Christmas"), his fiendishly clever marriages of well-known classical pieces with various carols in his "Classical Christmas Suite" early in the program was an absolute delight. Wendel nailed the essence of Mozart, Schubert and Ravel, while guiding their sounds into stimulating settings of five tunes from Joy to the World through Little Town of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, and Star of Wonder to a perfectly selected Little Drummer Boy to replace the repetitious melody of Bolero." — Murray Charters, Music Critic for The Brantford Expositor, Canada. "The most unusual, by far, was Robert Wendel's 'Little Drummer Boy', an astonishingly successful hybrid of Ravel's 'Bolero' with the familiar song by Henry Onorati. Anyone a little bit high would have thought it was Ravel's 'Bolero', complete with snare drum and brassy send-up at the end." — Mary Ellyn Hutton, Music Writer for The Cincinnati Post "The other number that really got my attention was an instrumental version of 'Little Drummer Boy' that was arranged like Ravel's Bolero! In fact from the very first listen the song could have been very easily written that way. This is a good example of arranging and orchestration and something to look for on a Christmas album, a little different and unique." — Goldenscores.com "An arrangement of 'Little Drummer Boy' based on Ravel's 'Bolero' is pure genius..." — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (BP) Thursday, December 14, 2006 |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings. Alternate parts included for a 2/2/2/2 - 2/2/0/0, timp, 1 perc and strings version of the first 3 movements. |
| Duration: | 14-15 minutes (no trap set) |
| Cost: | $400 Rental Only. All movements are available separately at $190 each. | Notes: | A CD quality download of the first 3 movements from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
| Notes: | "Little Bolero Boy" has been recorded by Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops on TELARC CD-80538. |
CHRISTMAS A LA VALSE!
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A medley of holiday tunes in 3/4 time: Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, We Three Kings, The Skaters' Waltz, Greensleeves, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Wassail, Wassail, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. This is one of our annual "sell-outs" with over 200 performances since it was introduced. Order early! |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, and strings |
| Duration: | 6:00 |
| Cost: | $225 Rental Only. |
| Notes: | This work has been recorded by Michael Krajewski with the Houston Symphony and The Atlanta Youth Symphony's "Second Chance Christmas" album. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
Works with Chorus and/or Soloists
THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS
by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani (pictured)
|
 |
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2+ opt B. Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, opt celeste [or piano], opt HANDBELLS, and strings |
| Duration: | 3:40 |
| Cost: | $225 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books with extra books available at 25¢ each. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
IT WOULDN'T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU
by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
|
Vocal Solo
Chorus
|
| Description: | An jazzy original work for for baritone or mezzo solo, or chorus and orchestra by composer Robert Wendel and lyricist Vince Trani that expresses the universal longing for family and friends to be together at Christmas time. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Set +2 percussion, harp, and strings |
| Duration: | 3:10 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books with extra books available at 25¢ each. | Notes: | NEW for 2011 |
SANTA DEAR
by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
|
|
| Description: | An original work for childrens chorus [or solo] and orchestra with lyrics by Vince Trani and music by Robert Wendel. This is a rather humorous "letter of denial" to Santa from someone who seems to get into a lot of trouble during the year. What if Bart Simpson wrote a letter to santa? This would be it! |
| Instrumentation: | 2/2/2/2 -0/0/0/0 - timp, 2 perc, celeste (or piano), harp, and strings. |
| Duration: | 3:10 |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. 20 chorus books provided. Additional books are available at 25¢ each. |
| Notes: | Our customers tell us that when this selection is performed by an adult in pajamas and a Teddy Bear, the comic result is amazing, with twice the laughs! Usually a board member, VIP, or local "celebrity" is used for maximum "effect." |
CHRISTMAS THROUGH CHILDRENS EYES
by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
|
|
| Description: | A new, original work for chorus and orchestra in waltz time. Mostly a joyous evocation of the simple joys of a younger age, but with a nostalgic turn in the coda. Premiered 2001 by Ken Staton and the Kona Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc-2-2-2/4-3-3-1/timp - chimes - glock - sleigh bells - piatti - toy piano / harp / strings and SATB choir. |
| Duration: | 3:50 |
| Cost: | $225 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Additional books are available at 25¢ each. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
STILL, STILL, STILL
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A new setting of the traditional Austrian Carol for small orchestra with very easy optional wordless boy choir, childrens or womens chorus. |
| Instrumentation: | 2/1+E Hn/0/0 -0/0/0/0 - 3 perc, celeste, harp, and Violins 1 & 2 and violas only. |
| Duration: | 2:50 |
| Cost: | $125 Rental Only. 20 chorus books provided. Additional books are available at 25¢ each. |
IN THE MANGER (Vocal Version)
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | Away In a Manger and Gesu Bambino are combined with a bit of "Venite Adoremus" in a truly beautiful musical Christmas picture for choirs or soloists. Suggested combinations are: children's choir + womens chorus, children's choir + male or female soloist, or SATB chorus split as women and men. |
| Comments: | |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/1+E Hn/2/2 - 4/0/opt 3/ - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, celeste, and strings + 2 vocal lines. |
| Duration: | 3:45 |
| Cost: | |
| Notes: | $200 Rental Only. Includes 50 vocal scores. Extra scores are available at 25¢ each. |
AN EVERGREEN CHRISTMAS
arranged by Robert Wendel
|
|
| Description: | A wonderful medley of "Oh Christmas Tree," "The Holly And The Ivy," and "Deck The Hall With Boughs Of Holly" that is both rousing and tender, yet quick to rehearse. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 3 percussion, harp, and strings |
| Duration: | 4:00 |
| Cost: | $250 Rental. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra chorus books are available at 25¢ each. |
| Notes: | Used for the Christmas Tree lighting in "Hollywood Holiday At The Grove" 2005 syndicated TV special. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
by Jerry Herman
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Comments: | "Another song on the unique side is "We Need A Little Christmas" from the long running show Mame. It's rousing and moves along quite nicely, a nice broadway number." — Goldenscores.com |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, harp, and strings |
| Duration: | 3:10 [ASCAP] |
| Cost: | $275 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra chorus books are available at 25¢ each. |
| Notes: | This movement has been recorded by Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops on TELARC CD-80538. and The Atlanta Youth Symphony's "Second Chance Christmas" album. Please note that the demo mp3 available above is NOT from the Telarc or Atlanta CD. This selection was also featured nationally in a Wal-Mart TV commercial in 2008. |
THE BEST CHRISTMAS OF ALL
by Jerry Herman
|
|
| Description: | From Jerry Herman's Emmy nominated CBS television special "Mrs. Santa Claus." For 2 soloists (alto & baritone) or chorus and orchestra in a spectacular orchestration by Larry Blank. |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc/1+E Hn/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap Drums, 2-3 percussion, harp, celeste, and strings. Please specify 'Solos' or 'Chorus'. |
| Duration: | 3:00 [ASCAP] |
| Cost: | $250 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra chorus books are available at 25¢ each. |
| Notes: | This work was used for the opening credits of "Hollywood Holiday At The Grove" 2005 syndicated TV special. |
RUDOLPH, BELLS & HOLLY
(The Christmas Hits Of Johnny Marks arranged by Robert Wendel)
|
(perusal materials available upon request) |
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 2+picc-2-2+BCl-2/4-3-3-1/timp-chimes-glock-sleigh bells-piatti-temple blocks, bass drum, optional organ/harp/strings and SATB choir. |
| Duration: | 6:00 |
| Cost: | $275 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Additional books are available at 50¢ each. | Notes: | This work is intended for SATB chorus, however, a children's choir can be added as in the demo recording. |
HODIE
by Michael Gilbertson
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Comments: | "... a startlingly original piece -- a setting of the ancient Latin text, "Hodie" by a young composer, Michael Gilbertson -- was a jaw dropper featuring the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, skillfully led by its director, Pearl Shangkuan. The young composer from Iowa is 21 years old now, but he appears to have absorbed that many musical styles and more when he wrote this piece at age 15." - Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk | The Grand Rapids Press |
| Instrumentation: | 2[2nd dbl picc]-2-2-2 4-3-2-1 Timp, perc, harp, and strings + SATB chorus. |
| Duration: | 5:40 |
| Cost: | $250 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra chorus books are available at 25¢ each. |
| Notes: | This work was featured on the 2006 global telecast "Candles & Carols" and was also featured on the 2005 and 2011 Christmas concerts telecast by the Flint Symphony, Michigan. | Notes: | A CD quality download of this work from the album "Christmas - Old & New" is available at CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.com. |
BEHOLD THE SAVIOR
by Michael Gilbertson
|
|
| Description: | With text by Susan Swift, this new and glorious work for chorus and orchestra evokes a portrait of the angels singing on high at the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. A truly stirring and inspiring work. |
| Comments: | Co-Premiered by The Dubuque Symphony and The Rockford Symphony December, 2011 |
| Instrumentation: | 2+Picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp + 3 perc, harp and strings with SATB chorus |
| Duration: | 4:25 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus Books. Extra books are available at 25¢ each. |
NIGHT OF ANGELS
by Michael Gilbertson
|
|
| Description: | Based on a compilation of texts by Sarah Teasdale and John Milton, Night of Angels tells the story of the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth, describing their humility, reverence, and sense of wonder. The work is intensely lyrical throughout, and reaches an exalted climax with a Gabrielli-like fanfare. |
| Comments: | Premiered by The Rockford Symphony on Dec. 13, 2008 |
| Instrumentation: | 2+Picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp + 3 perc, harp and strings with SATB chorus |
| Duration: | 5:30 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus Books. Extra books are available at 25¢ each. |
ANGELS IN THE SNOW
by Tracey Rush (pictured)
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Comments: | "Destined to become a new holiday standard." — Lucas Richman, Conductor of The Pittsburgh Symphony |
| Instrumentation: | 2-2-2-2/4-3-3-1/timp +3perc/harp/strings SATB choir, 2-part treble choir, solo SATB quartet. |
| Duration: | 4:12 |
| Cost: | $250 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books and 20 treble books. Extra books are available at 25¢ each. |
THE FRIENDLY BEASTS
arranged by Tracey Rush
|
|
| Description: | A touching carol for childrens chorus and reduced orchestra where the 'animals' present at the Nativity recount their contribution to the baby's birth. Premiered by the Dubuque Symphony, Nicholas Palmer conducting. |
| Instrumentation: | 1/1/2/2 - 3/0/0/0 - 2 perc + strings plus children's chorus. |
| Duration: | 4:00 |
| Cost: | $190 Rental Only. Includes 20 chorus books. |
JOY SHALL BE YOURS IN THE MORNING
by William Perry (pictured) & Kenneth Grahame
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 2+Picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp / 3 perc and strings plus full SATB chorus or chamber chorus (or SSATB soloists). Optional parts include Harp and Celeste. |
| Duration: | 2:26 |
| Cost: | $200 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra books available at 50¢ each. |
LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHILD
by Thomas Q. Fulton, Jr. and Dr. Michael T. Griffith (pictured)
|
|
| Description: | 
|
| Instrumentation: | 2/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - glock, and strings. |
| Duration: | 2:30 |
| Cost: | $150 Rental Only. Includes 50 chorus books. Extra books available at 50¢ each. |
IN THE GIVING WE RECEIVE
by Kim Oler (pictured) and Greer Woodward
|
|
| Description: |  |
| Instrumentation: | 2/1/2/2 - 2/0/0/0 - Glock, Triangle, and strings. |
| Duration: | 3:30 |
| Cost: | $150 Rental Only. |
| Notes: | Choral Books available for purchase from Carl Fischer LLC (Catalog #CM8788) |
Click here to view more holiday music selections, including those for Chanukah, Thanksgiving, and New Years' Eve
Thank you for visiting Robert Wendel Music!
Web design courtesy