Kendor Music Inc. The Angels Sing - Blair - String Orchestra - Gr. 3

Arranger: Peter Blair
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: String Orchestra
Grade: 3

In this treatment of "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," arranger Peter Blair draws a bit on his Jazz background. But fear not! This setting is beautiful and strikes the perfect balance between fresh and classic.

Program Notes
I love the challenge of taking a well-known carol and giving it a fresh treatment. Stray too far from the original melody and harmony, and the tune will be unrecognizable. But if there is not enough new material crafted into the music, there really isn't any point in doing another arrangement. I hope that I struck a good balance between old and new in this version of "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear". I leaned a bit into my background as a Jazz composer to add a twist to this classic carol... but don't worry, I didn't go off the deep end and make it totally crazy-just enough to make it fun to play and interesting to hear.