Piano Solo - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1325497

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Thomas Gunther. Christmas,Holiday,Jazz. Score. 4 pages. Thomas Gunther Music Productions #913724. Published by Thomas Gunther Music Productions (A0.1325497).

Solo Piano Arrangement By Thomas Gunther
The Christmas Song is maybe the most popular Christmas Song in the USA. Some know it as Chestnuts Roasted On An Open Fire or Merry Christmas to You. 
The melody is absolutely beautiful, and the chord changes super interesting. I especially like Nat King Cole's version, which is in Db major. To make it easier for intermediate piano players I wrote my piano solo arrangement in C major instead. It is still challenging  enough.
The sheet music will be available for purchase at 2pm Chicago time on Nov 27.
About The Arrangement
The arrangement is written in jazz ballade style. It doesn't swing. I includes a fun double time improvisation section though which I made up on the spot during the second B section when I recorded the song. It is in latin style. 
The arrangement can be performed with or without improvisation. Should you be a jazz pianist you could use the included chord symbols to make up your own improvisation.
About The Sheet Music
The sheet music is the exact transcription of my recording, including the improvisation part. (You can listen to it and see me perform in the video below.)
The sheet music contains jazz chord symbols and plentiful of articulations as well as some dynamic markings. 
How This Arrangement Came About
May arrangement is heavily based on the Nat King Cole version. I love the ballade feel and the beautiful chord substitutions he uses in the orchestration. First I simply played along with his version in Db major. This helped me to figure out the harmony. Next I start thinking about the accompaniment. Now it is time to practice it. Once I have the arrangement figured out I start recording it a few times, listen to each version, iron out the edges. Now it is time to record the entire thing. 
Recommendations For Learning The Song
I recommend that you first listen to my performance while reading along in the sheet music. 
I always think about fingering and sustain pedal use at the same time when learning a song. Smart use of the sustain pedal can really make it much easier to play.
Is This Arrangement For You?
This solo piano arrangement is for every pianist who loves The Christmas Song. It doesn't matter would kind of pianist you are. 
The arrangement is certainly for intermediate pianists and up. It is also beneficial when you don't have very small hands. Some chords in the left hand require a hand span of a 10th. However, there are ways to get around that by simply rolling the notes with the help of the sustain pedal.

C Instrument - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.969313

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Frieder Schmidt. Christmas,Contemporary,Jazz,Pop. Lead Sheet / Fake Book. 6 pages. Frieder Schmidt #6201465. Published by Frieder Schmidt (A0.969313).

HQ Leadsheet made on the basis of the famous recording of Nat King Cole
with precise chord symbols & clean layout.

This Leadsheet contains advanced chord symbols
due to the jazzful nature of the original recording it reflects.

This Leadsheet comes in 3 keys:
C: for baritone & mezzo-soprano
Eb: for tenor & higher soprano
A: for bass (or alto).

Jazz Combo - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.779202

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By David Climie, Mel Torme, Robert Wells, and Stanley Myers. Arranged by Don Hodell Chilcote. Contemporary. Score and parts. 3 pages. Don Hodell Chilcote #6644867. Published by Don Hodell Chilcote (A0.779202).

The Christmas Song (chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) is for piano solo or ensemble. This is a great christmas tune with a great passionate setting. 2 page arrangement is challenging but not overly so, and well worth the effort to learn. Fun tune to learn and improvise over. Fun Stuff.

Instrumental Duet Instrumental Duet,Viola,Violin - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1143220

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Krista Broadway Swider. Classical,Jazz. Score and parts. 5 pages. Krista Swider #743581. Published by Krista Swider (A0.1143220).

This time honored classic Christmas song has been covered by many artists., but I wanted to capture the magic that Ray Charles shares with his audience when he performs this piece. This arrangement finds inspiration from the intimacy and personal touch that Charles brings to his orchestration of this piece, with its jazzy piano chords, shimmering strings, and casual vocal line. The violinist carries the vocal line in this duet, and croons the melody with frequent interjections of double stops that compliment the viola's bass line and harmonies. Together, the two instruments create a rich combination of melody and evolving seven chords that bring depth and personality to an instrumentation that is often under utilized. This challenging violin and viola duet is for advanced players who want more from their sheet music!

Chamber Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.845993

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Kyle Pudenz. Christmas,Classical,Holiday,Standards,Traditional. Score and parts. 22 pages. ViolinVagabond Music #6696667. Published by ViolinVagabond Music (A0.845993).

There are over 500 arrangements of this tune for sale on this site, but there is exactly ONE reason you should choose this one over any of the rest of them. It is in THE KEY OF C!! As advertised, you will find absolutely no, none, zero, zilch, NADA! accidentals in the key signature. That said, the tune is pretty chromatic as you well know, so there will of course be ample accidentals, marked clearly & appropriately as needed. This key is a particularly good choice for a baritone (lower octave) or alto (higher octave) soloist, but would also work great with any sort of instrumental soloist as well. It's pretty much the version of this tune you know and love, with a nice little instrumental break right before the last verse. No frills, but the lines you need to hear are there.

Difficulty level - A professional or college orchestra could sight read this at a glance. High schoolers might take a rehearsal or two, but can totally handle it as long as the concertmaster can grab a high F on that opening fermata.

Performance time - 3 minutes, right on the nose (at which Jack Frost may or may not be nipping...)

Questions? Feel free to contact me via my website, www.kylepudenz.com/ or on the 'Insta @theviolinvagabond.

Full Orchestra - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.844229

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Chris Rinaman. Christmas,Contemporary,Holiday. Score and parts. 54 pages. CGR Music Service #6630971. Published by CGR Music Service (A0.844229).

An original arrangement of the holiday classic for full orchestra and male vocal in the key of C, modulating to Db.  Can be performed with or without the optional rhythm section (piano, electric bass and drum set) giving your orchestra some flexibility in programming this arrangement.  Visit www.chrisrinaman.com for more information on the arrangements and compositions of Chris Rinaman.    

As a composer, arranger and orchestrator, Chris's work encompasses big band writing, orchestral arranging and film composition. In 2002, while working as an assistant to Academy Award-winning film composer Howard Shore, Chris Rinaman was the head score consultant for the world premiere of The Fellowship of the Ring for Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the Hollywood Bowl. He has created orchestral and big band arrangements for many talented vocalists, including Deana Martin, Micheal Castaldo, William Michals, and Allan Harris.  His string arrangements can be heard on the 2016 PBS special, Giada Valenti:  From Venice With Love.

Choral Choir (SSA) - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.504349

By Christina Aguilera, Clay Crosse, John Denver, Justin Bieber Featuring Usher, King Cole Trio, Les Brown (vocal Doris Day), Martina McBride, Michael Buble, Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch., and Sheryl Crow. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Giovanni Molaro. Christmas,Holiday,Jazz,Standards. Octavo. 5 pages. Giovanni Molaro #116172. Published by Giovanni Molaro (A0.504349).

Choral version (SSA + solo voice + piano) based on Nat King Cole recording (original key, Db).

Guitar - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1374321

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Bronson Ferdinand Wright. Christmas,Film/TV,Holiday,Instructional,Jazz. Guitar Tab. 4 pages. Bronson Ferdinand #958925. Published by Bronson Ferdinand (A0.1374321).

Easy/intermediate guitar arrangement of the Christmas classic by Nat King Cole

This version includes tab, authentic jazz voicings and lyrics

This arrangement is a great choice for students beginning to learn voicings with extensions.

Piano Solo - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.918293

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By David Climie, Mel Torme, Robert Wells, and Stanley Myers. Arranged by Brenda Dillon. Contemporary. Score. 3 pages. Dillon's Music Group #6169471. Published by Dillon's Music Group (A0.918293).

The Christmas Song, written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Torme, has been subtitled as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Even though it was written during a hot July, the lyrics began as a suggestion for thinking and staying cool. The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded it in June, 1946. The cool lyrics include: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos

About the composer: Brenda Dillon is best known for her contributions to the Recreational Music Making movement. In addition to her contributions to the RMM Track for MTNA's Pedagogy Saturday, she also presented group piano and RMM sessions throughout the U.S. As well as serving as a teacher trainer, she has written extensive articles on both group piano and RMM teaching. She has publications with Hal Leonard and Alfred Music listed on her website. (www.brendadillon.com).

Full Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1271514

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Sam Shoup. Christmas,Holiday,Standards,Traditional. Score and Parts. 45 pages. Sam Shoup #863913. Published by Sam Shoup (A0.1271514).

The Christmas Classic, originally sung by Nat King Cole, arranged for full orchestra, rhythm section and solo vocalist in Bb major. Instrumentation is 3-3-3-3, 4-3-3-1, drumset, percussion, electric bass, piano, harp, and strings. Intermediate difficulty. Score is 11' x 17', parts are 8 1/2 x 11.

Trombone Solo - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1167687

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by David W. Young. Christmas,Traditional. Individual part. 1 pages. Dave Young #768054. Published by Dave Young (A0.1167687).

A trombone solo of a beautiful Christmas hit song by Nat King Cole.
Complimentary performance MP3 available at secretharbor884@gmail.com.

Solo Guitar - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1336577

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Bronson Ferdinand Wright. 20th Century,Christmas,Holiday,Jazz,Standards. Individual part. 3 pages. Bronson Ferdinand #922347. Published by Bronson Ferdinand (A0.1336577).

Chord melody arrangement of the classic Christmas song. A great intro to the chord melody style. 

This arrangement features an A section in the spirit of the original and a B section in double time feel. 

The distincive outro from the Nat King Cole version is included.

Great for solo guitar performances.

Easy Piano - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1118994

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Arranged by Janet and Alan Bullard (The Janet and Alan Bullard Piano Series). Broadway,Christmas,Holiday,Instructional,Musical/Show. Score. 2 pages. Colne Edition / BullardMusic #720401. Published by Colne Edition / BullardMusic (A0.1118994).

The Janet and Alan Bullard Piano Series contains a range of arrangements for easy piano, old and new.

Written in the hot summer of 1945 in an effort to 'stay cool by thinking cool', and originally recorded by Nat King Cole, 'The Christmas Song' by Torme and Wells soon became one of the most popular Christmas hits, covered by a wide range of artists.

Janet Bullard has a busy and thriving piano teaching practice and many years’ experience of teaching adults and children. Alan Bullard is a pianist, composer and arranger whose music is performed widely. Together they are the authors of the successful Pianoworks series of tutor and repertoire books for beginner pianists, published by OUP. www.bullardmusic.co.uk

String Quartet String Quartet - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.793607

By Nat Cole With N. Riddle Orch. By David Climie, Mel Torme, Robert Wells, and Stanley Myers. Arranged by Brian Hardy, Bacchus Quartet. Contemporary. Score and parts. 9 pages. Brian Hardy #6640011. Published by Brian Hardy (A0.793607).

First recorded at WMCA recording studios in 1946 and originally subtitled 'A Merry Christmas To You' this song became a huge hit for Nat King Cole and has become a staple of the Christmas season since then.

For more Bacchus Quartet arrangements visit sheetmusicplus.com/publishers/bacchusquartet/5331.