The famous Carol is played three different times, each time becoming more varied and challenging. Keep your players on their toes while they learn ensemble playing.

For this Christmas here is a dramatic Fantasia for Instrumental Quartet based on the old English carol God Rest You Merry Gentlemen. It is an eclectic fusion of Classical music and 1950's Free Jazz and West Indian/Caribbean rhythms with exuberance and pulse. It is in verse-refrain form, but is very freely treated and each of the four verses is wholly unique. Every single note is written to express, and sometimes expand upon, the word of the text at that point in time. There is an irregular meter which changes every few bars using 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 7/4 but always maintaining a strong pulse. It contains abrupt changes in dynamics and a rubato tempo with many markings of articulation. This is a challenging work with dynamic results.
19 page score, 4 pages each part; 35 pages total
4:45 minutes

Message of Peace, Mozart, and a classic piece of music makes this arrangement perfect for school concerts, special music at church or just to show off your top musicians. Every instrument gets to play the main melody at least once, making this a great piece for working on independence and balance.

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba: the Sinfonia from Act 3 of the oratorio, Solomon. This was played at the 2012 London Olympics when Daniel Craig goes to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

For Clarinet quartet (3 Clarinets & Bass Clarinet).

Duration about 3 minutes, 15 seconds.