A Big Band Christmas II (C.Strommen)

Festive seasonal medleys take on a sophisticated, swinging persona in *A Big Band Christmas II*, brilliantly scored by renowned composer and arranger Carl Strommen. Building upon the enduring popularity of holiday classics, this arrangement weaves together beloved seasonal themes into a cohesive, high-energy jazz showcase. The tradition of transforming Christmas carols into big band jazz vehicles traces its roots back to the swing era innovations of bands like those led by Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman, who demonstrated that traditional melodies could effortlessly adopt the harmonic sophistication and rhythmic drive of America's art form. Strommen infuses the arrangement with a vibrant, dynamic musical character that shifts gracefully between buoyant swing feels, lush harmonic ballads, and driving, punchy rhythmic figures. Opening with an inviting, modern jazz harmony that immediately signals a departure from ordinary carol settings, the chart moves through contrasting textures—from delicate, impressionistic woodwind voicings to exuberant, full-ensemble shout choruses. The mood swings masterfully from nostalgic warmth to jubilant celebration, evoking the festive spirit through rich minor-major colorations, clever chromatic mediant modulations, and sparkling brass counterlines that keep both performers and listeners completely engaged. Renowned for his exceptional educational writing, Carl Strommen approaches the 17-instrument big band medium with a pedagogical yet artistically satisfying touch. His scoring ensures that every section gets a share of the spotlight, utilizing classic soli passages where the saxophones or brass share interlocking melodic duties. The harmonic language avoids overly dense academic modernism while comfortably stretching beyond basic triad harmony, introducing suspended chords, altered dominants, and lush ninth-and-eleventh voicings that challenge developing musicians to listen deeply. The shout chorus is structured with classic architectural tension, building dynamically from a muted brass statement to a thunderous, full-ensemble resolution that showcases the power of the rhythm section. Melody and accompaniment alternate fluidly across the 17-piece ensemble, ensuring that lead trumpet and lead alto players are given rewarding melodic material alongside robust background figures for the trombones and rhythm section. While there are brief featured solo spaces designed to highlight emerging improvisers, the true strength of the chart lies in its ensemble-driven momentum. Technical demands center primarily on clean articulation, accurate swing eighth-note interpretation, and dynamic balance across the sections rather than extreme range requirements. Advanced high school, collegiate, and community big bands will find this chart an ideal centerpiece for holiday concerts. It strikes a rare balance: accessible enough for groups developing their stylistic versatility, yet sophisticated enough to satisfy sophisticated audiences and seasoned players looking for a fresh spin on holiday repertoire. Balancing stylistic authenticity and precision is paramount when rehearsing *A Big Band Christmas II*. The conductor should establish a crisp, communicative groove right from the downbeat, ensuring that the rhythm section—particularly the ride cymbal and hi-hat on beats two and four—locks into an authentic swing feel. Avoid lazy swing eighths; encourage the horn sections to articulate with a modern mainstream jazz articulation, keeping tongue-controlled accents sharp on off-beats. Watch closely for dynamic contrast during the transition from lush, rubato-esque ballad sections into driving swing tempos. The saxophones must project their soli passages without straining, requiring careful internal listening against the rhythm section's comping. Brass players should utilize standard developmental mutes (cup or straight) where indicated to achieve the authentic coloristic changes crucial to Strommen's scoring. Rehearsals should isolate the shout chorus first at a reduced tempo, slowly building velocity while ensuring that the high brass flourishes do not overpower the lower brass counter-melodies driving the bottom end. Q: What instruments and parts are included in this arrangement? A: The standard 17-instrument big band instrumentation includes Alto Sax 1 & 2, Tenor Sax 1 & 2, Baritone Sax, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, and a full rhythm section comprising piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Q: What is the difficulty level of this chart? A: This arrangement is graded as medium-advanced, making it exceptionally well-suited for high school jazz ensembles with strong section players, as well as collegiate and community big bands. Q: What style and historical context does this arrangement represent? A: It represents the modern mainstream big band jazz style, applying traditional swing-era and contemporary arranging techniques to classic holiday themes popularized by mid-century jazz masters. Q: What makes Carl Strommen's arrangement unique? A: Strommen expertly balances rich, contemporary extended harmonies and clever modulations with accessible educational scoring, ensuring every section enjoys engaging, dynamic parts without prohibitive technical barriers. Q: What is the approximate performance duration and tempo framework? A: The arrangement spans a dynamic multi-movement structure running approximately 4 to 5 minutes, anchored primarily by a bright, medium-swing tempo feel alongside contrasting ballad interludes.