Music by Eric Benjamin
with and without chorus
A Child Looks at Christmas Eve
(see information under Collaborations)
Christmas with Divine Hope
(see information under Collaborations)
9 min
Instrumentation: 0202(opt)/0200 tym hpsch strgs SATB (optional);
Also available in larger scoring: 2+1 222/4231 tym+1 kbd strgs
A Carol Cantata is a suite of traditional carols arranged in Baroque style and scored for Baroque orchestra. The optional choir part is easy and the orchestra accompaniment is supportive and stylistic. Selected carols include: Joy to the World, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Polish Carol), and Angels We Have Heard on High.
A Carol Concerto
9 min
Instrumentation: 2222.2200 solo dulcimer hp tym+2 strgs [ Sound Sample ]
Instrumentation: 2222.2200 solo harp tym+2 strgs
A unique inclusion on a holiday concert: a solo concerto for either concert harp or hammered dulcimer! Selected carols are familiar (The Coventry Carol, Bring a torch, Jeannette Isabella, Greensleeves and Ding dong merrily on high) but not commonly included in many arrangements, thus avoiding redundancy in concert programming.
Carol of the Animals
4.30 min.
Instrumentation: 2+1.2.2.2/4.2.3.1 harp tym+2 strgs SSATB
text by Kenneth Grahame from The Wind in the Willows
A festive choral setting of a carol text from Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. In a style similar to the great English choral anthems with a brilliant orchestral accompaniment. Rollicking, joyful and fun to sing. Works well as an opener or a closer.
9 min
Instrumentation: 3*2*2+12(+1)/4231 hp kbd tym+3 strgs [ Sound Sample ]
A fantasy on "Over the river and through the woods" and "Jingle Bells". Both tunes are treated in humorous variations and combine in riotous counterpoint at the grand conclusion. The middle section is an evocation of Robert Frost's "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening". A great program opener or first half closer and an opportunity to expand the stylistic scope of holiday pops concert programming.
Gift of the Magi
16 min.
Instrumentation: soprano and baritone, narrator, chorus (opt) 2+1222/2000 hp tym+2 strgs [ Sound Sample ]
O. Henry's classic story of giving in an "apron opera" - a short stage work for small cast to be performed in front of the orchestra. Choir part is optional but atmospheric. Features strong melodic writing and allusions to traditional carols including a fugue on The Twelve Days of Christmas. A unique feature for holiday programming.
Here in My House
3 min.
Instrumentation: 2121.2000 hp(or kbd) perc strgs 2 part treble choir
Aline Shader's touching evocation of community, describing the Hannukah celebration in one verse and Christmas in a second, the two verses combining in counterpoint. Out of the mouths of babes...and out of the imagination of a wonderfully creative woman.
SATB also available
Ideo Gloria
5 min
Instrumentation: 2+1 222/2221 hp org(opt) tym+3 handbells(opt) strgs SSA [ Sound Sample ]
Robust setting for treble choir (unison or three part) and orchestra of the traditional carol Personent hodie ("On this day earth shall ring") with its unique "Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo" refrain. Counterpointed with Ding Dong Merrily on High, and using The First Noel as an interlude, the work traverses moods from contemplative to exuberantly festive.
Also available in SATB choral arrangement.
King John's Christmas
9 min
2+1 2+1 2 2/4231 hp cel tym+2 strgs SATB narrator
Setting of A. A. Milne's classic poem for chorus and actor taking the title role. Rollicking, campy (the percussion scoring even calls for a bouncing rubber ball!) but also touching. Colorful harmony and orchestration in "film score" style.
A novel feature for a program also works as a good first-half closer.
Music for a December Day
13 min
2+1 2 2+1 2/4331 hp kbd tym+3 strings
See blog for information on this piece. Premiered in December 2007 to very strong reception. Offstage brass, antiphonal brass, Christmas carols, bustling energy and a smash ending! Will kick start your holiday concert!
for narrator and orchestra
6 min
Instrumentation: 2222.2100 hp cel tym+2 strgs
Also available for: 2+1 2 2+1 2. 3231 hp cel tym+2 strgs
Very popular setting of the Clement Moore's poem with music of strong moods and colorful orchestration, for large or chamber orchestra.
On the Night Before Christmas
for narrator and concert band
Also available in arrangements for string quartet, piano quintet, woodwind quintet and woodwind quintet with piano.
See chamber music for more information
Star of Hope
4 min
Instrumentation: 2+1 222.4231 tym+2 strgs SATB
Chuck Myrick's dramatic gospel anthem in an arrangement for choir and orchestra will raise the roof and bring down the house. Some gospel music to vary the offerings on your holiday program! (See also under Collaborations).
Christmas with Divine Hope
Divine Hope is the award-winning gospel vocal group from Akron, Ohio, under the inspired direction of Chuck Myricks. Chuck's original songs include Miracles Happen at Midnight, Star of Hope, and Stand. The program also includes Chuck's arrangements of the traditional Christmas tunes The First Noel, O come, O come Emmanuel and Lo, how a rose e're blooming (When half-spent was the night).
A Child Looks at Christmas Eve
Singer-songwriter Alex Bevan created a series of magical holiday vignettes in this set of songs arranged for treble chorus and orchestra. Alex supplies the narrative and performs solo with and without the chorus and orchestra in songs that are powerfully evocative of holiday moods and themes.