Staff Picks: December 2020
Our Sheet Music Direct team plays, strums and sings just as much as you do! We're a team of musicians who love music of various styles and, when we're not busy with all things Sheet Music Direct, play at home, church, and gigs. Each month, we're sharing some of the favorite songs we're currently playing and why we think you'll love them too. Check out our festive staff picks for December below or head over to our Staff Picks page which we update regularly with the latest picks.
Find something you love? Let us know in the comments, or share it with the rest of the Sheet Music Direct community over on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Becca's Pick
Somewhere in My Memory (from Home Alone), John Williams
This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs from the classic Christmas movie Home Alone. If you're looking for a nostalgic song to tackle for the holidays, Phillip Keveren's piano solo arrangement—with its lush chords and soaring melodies—will give you all the feels.
Sam's Pick
Walking in the Air (from The Snowman), Howard Blake (arr. John Leavitt)
Having grown up watching The Snowman on TV every Christmas Eve, and also singing in choirs from a young age, "Walking in the Air" has always been a favorite of mine, and John Leavitt's beautiful choral arrangement is a sentimental treat.
Annie's Pick
Sleigh Ride (in the style of Franz Josef Haydn), Leroy Anderson (arr. David Pearl)
When I was in college our piano teacher introduced us to "in the style of" classical Christmas arrangements, which are great when you're looking for something out-of-the-box to play. This "in the style of Franz Josef Haydn" arrangement of "Sleigh Ride" includes classical elements throughout, but also plenty of chromaticism to carry the music forward.
Chris' Pick
O Holy Night, Adolphe Adam
This carol is one of my Christmas favorites, composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 and covered by numerous artists including Mariah Carey, Josh Groban and Celine Dion, whose version is a particular favorite of mine.
Dan's Pick
Silent Night, Franz X. Gruber
One of my favorite Christmas songs to both play and sing is the popular carol, "Silent Night." It's a tune that sounds just as beautiful when sung a capella at a Christmas Eve church service as it does as a solo instrumental performance.
Bill's Pick
Merry Christmas, Darling, Carpenters
Simply one of the prettiest Christmas songs ever written. 18-year-old Frank Pooler came up with the lyrics in 1944, which were put to music by Richard Carpenter some 22 years later.
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