Unlike many pieces
about "joy" that are fast and "joyful," Christmas Is a Time for Joy, is
much more meditative with a beautiful, lyric melody. The form is AABAA plus
tag, so once the students learn the A and B sections plus the tag, they know the
piece. Therefore it is rated as easy. Early adolescent singers are
often partial to fast pieces. This piece gives the director a chance to
teach how to sing the legato line in the melodic parts and build beautiful tone
in doing so. Once young singers learn how to sing "slow" songs well,
they have more admiration for them.
This is a two-part
or a three-part piece. Part III is included in the score, but it may
omitted, if desired. Since the piece is only available with three
parts, those looking for a two-part piece may purchase it and simple not sing
Part III. Cambiata Press prefers to publish with optional parts because,
even though one might purchase it as a two-part piece, we find that they often
use it later as a three-part piece as well.
Click on the
Two-Part or the
Three-part
Variable Chart
to review how it may be sung with different ages and
voicings. Christmas Is A Time for Joy is
also available in mixing melody style: Two-part (SA &
SC),
Three-part (SSC,
SCB) Four-part
(SSCB)
and others.
from J.W. Pepper