Trombone Duet Trombone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.792437 Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Arranged by Ralph Sauer. 20th Century,Classical,Romantic Period. Score. 32 pages. Gordon Cherry #4821669. Published by Gordon Cherry (A0.792437). Beethoven’s two duos were originally written for Clarinet and Cello, but are often performed with Bassoon. They were published without an opus and were probably intended as gifts for friends or to be performed at a private chamber music soireé.  Mr. Sauer’s arrangements are delightful to play. Duos 1 & 2 have three movements; the first in the traditional Sonata form, the second a slow movement Larghetto and third movement a zippy Rondo. Duo 3 begins with a first movement Allegro and the second movement is an Aria with Variations, having a quick gigue-like Allegro tacked on to the end.These duos may be performed by Tenor and Bass Trombone or 2 Tenors, with the 2nd part needing an f-attachment to reach down for some D’s and C’s. The first parts are all in Tenor clef and these threee works are of moderate difficulty.

Small Ensemble Alto Recorder,Baritone Recorder,Flute,Soprano Recorder,Tenor Recorder - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.742374 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by Javier Martínez Maya. Children,Christmas,Romantic Period. Score and parts. 3 pages. Arte Nova Music Lab #2930385. Published by Arte Nova Music Lab (A0.742374). The First Noel (also written The First Noël and The First Nowell) is a traditional classical English Christmas carol, most likely from the early modern period, although possibly earlier.[2][3] Noel is an Early Modern English synonym of Christmas.[4]In its current form, it is of Cornish origin, and it was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God. Today, it is usually performed in a four-part hymn arrangement by the English composer John Stainer, first published in hisCarols, New and Old in 1871.[2] Variations of its theme are included in Victor Hely-Hutchinson's Carol Symphony.The melody is unusual among English folk melodies in that it consists of one musical phrase repeated twice, followed by a refrain which is a variation on that phrase. All three phrases end on the third of the scale. It is thought to be a version of an earlier melody sung in a church gallery setting; a conjectural reconstruction of this earlier version can be found in the New Oxford Book of Carols.[5]The Annunciation to the shepherds and the Adoration of the shepherds are episodes in the Nativity of Jesus described in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2). The Star of Bethlehem appears in the story of the Magi (the Wise Men) in the Gospel of Matthew; it does not appear in the story of the shepherds. Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Noel

Piano Solo - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1097670 Composed by Traditional and Traditional English Carol. Arranged by Amanda Tero. Children,Christian,Christmas,Holiday,Religious. Score. 3 pages. Amanda Tero #701608. Published by Amanda Tero (A0.1097670). This easy sheet music of The First Noel has a basic, repeated left hand pattern, making it perfect for beginner/elementary students. Musical elements in The First Noel beginner/elementary piano sheet music - Key of C - Right hand single-note melody - Left hand has 3 patterns - Finger numbers Teaching tips for The First Noel sheet music If your student struggles to put hands together, then this is a good Christmas arrangement for them. The left hand only has three patterns. Have your student circle the patterns that are the same (in both right hand and left hand) so they realize how little they actually have to learn to be able to play this piece. #thefirstnoel #easypiano #beginnerpiano #sheetmusic #christmaspiano.

Choral Choir,Choral (SATB) - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1349231 Composed by Todd Marchand. Christian,Sacred,Traditional. 16 pages. Con Spirito Music #933976. Published by Con Spirito Music (A0.1349231). Three Evening Canticles were written as part of a setting of choral evensong for Church of the Holy Apostles - Anglican, Fort Worth, Texas. Metrical, mostly homophonic, and conservative in technical challenges and ranges, these canticles are accessible for small choirs and those of moderate ability, yet musically satisfying for large and accomplished groups. Phos Hilaron (“O Gladsome Light�) is one of the earliest known Christian hymns (ca. 3rd-4th century) recorded outside of the Bible. Intended to be sung at the kindling of lights in the evening, it is sometimes known as the “lamp-lighting hymn� and has been adopted by some Anglican bodies as an optional invitatory canticle immediately preceding the psalm(s) appointed for the day.Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is a scriptural canticle based on an account in the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55). Mary, the expectant mother of Jesus, visits her cousin  Elizabeth, the expectant mother of John the Baptist, who will prophetically proclaim the coming of the Messiah. Elizabeth praises Mary for her faith and subjection to God’s will, and Mary responds, “My soul doth magnify the Lord ... for he that is mighty hath magnified me ... and his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.� The Magnificat is said or sung immediately after the first lesson (scripture reading) in the service of evening prayer. Nunc Dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is also a scriptural canticle taken from Luke (2:29-32).  Simeon, a devout Jew, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of redemption of the firstborn son, Simeon takes the child into his arms and says “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace ... for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.� The Nunc Dimittis is said or sung after the second lesson in evening prayer.Texts for these settings are from The Book of Common Prayer (2019), Traditional Language Edition, according to the use of the Anglican Church in North America, and they are largely the texts of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England.©Copyright 2023 Todd Marchand / Con Spirito Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. For more sacred, patriotic, folk, and holiday music for instruments and voices, visit www.conspiritomusic.com

Piano Solo - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.972754 Composed by Lorraine Milne. Children,Contemporary,Instructional,Standards. Score. 4 pages. Pucblished by Lorraine Milne #3222567. Published by Pucblished by Lorraine Milne (A0.972754). Threedom is from a series of 24 piano pieces called The Emerging Pianist. It is for piano students ready to move from beginners’ stage and looking for something a little more challenging. There are two versions of Threedom, an Abridged version (single page) and a Full version (double page). The Abridged version could also be used by more advanced pianists for sight-reading practice. This piece should have the feeling of one-in-the bar, so creating a sensation of swinging or freedom. The Full version has two distinct and contrasting themes. The first, 16 bars in length, is in F major. The second, also 16 bars long, moves between the relative minor (D minor) and F major. The accompanying mp3 file is a demo version only.

Jazz Ensemble Jazz Ensemble - Digital Download SKU: A0.951214 Composed by Bob Good. Concert,Jazz,Standards. Score and parts. 8 pages. Surrey Dance Music #3885441. Published by Surrey Dance Music (A0.951214). One of our first and still most popular tap pieces arranged for piano, flute and double bass.

Small Ensemble B-Flat Clarinet,Bassoon,Oboe,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.799462 Composed by Drake Mabry. Contemporary. Score and parts. 24 pages. Drake Mabry #1989261. Published by Drake Mabry (A0.799462). Three Painters was a 2008 commission from the Conservatory of Music in Chalons, France. Each of the three movements is inspired by some of my favorite painters, in this case Yves Klein, Zao Wou-ki and Jackson Pollock for the first, second and third movements respectively. I first saw Yves Klein work on a visit to Balbao, Spain during an exhibit of his art at the Guggenheim Museum. There was a kind of giant sandbox filled with his famous blue pigment. The lighting created timbral shadows which varied depending on where the viewer stood. It was difficult to leave. I first saw Zao Wou-ki's paintings during an exhibit in Paris around 2000 – I don't remember where. The abstract shape and colors fascinated me and each work seemed to explore a different emotional perspective. And they were simply beautiful. In 1967 I began my music studies in New York and within a few months of arriving went to the Museum of Modern Art at W. 53rd street. On the way there I crossed paths with Moondog on the street near the museum dressed in his Viking outfit. From my first visit, the two artists I remember most vividly were Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder. Jackson Pollock's art washed over my senses and I stared at One: Number 31 1950 for what seemed to be hours. And Calder's mobiles danced in slow motion and also captivated me. Someday I will write a work to pay homage to him. Three Painters depicts what I see in the works of these artists as sound over time. The first movement (Yves Klein) explores the subtle changing orchestrational timbres on the pitch 'F'. The second movement (Zao Wou-ki) uses the instruments without their reeds and/or mouthpieces resulting in waves of air sounds washing over the senses. The Third movement (Jackson Pollock) is a jazz-like romp which transfers his vibrant visual energy to a full-blown big band style played by the ensemble. The duration is 12 minutes.Three Painters was premiered by an ensemble conducted by Philippe Cambreling at the Auditorium, CRR de Chalon sur Saône, France on March 22, 2009.

Small Ensemble B-Flat Clarinet,Bassoon,Oboe,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.799463 Composed by Drake Mabry. Contemporary. Score and parts. 48 pages. Drake Mabry #1989265. Published by Drake Mabry (A0.799463). Three Painters was a 2008 commission from the Conservatory of Music in Chalons, France. Each of the three movements is inspired by some of my favorite painters, in this case Yves Klein, Zao Wou-ki and Jackson Pollock for the first, second and third movements respectively. I first saw Yves Klein work on a visit to Balbao, Spain during an exhibit of his art at the Guggenheim Museum. There was a kind of giant sandbox filled with his famous blue pigment. The lighting created timbral shadows which varied depending on where the viewer stood. It was difficult to leave. I first saw Zao Wou-ki's paintings during an exhibit in Paris around 2000 – I don't remember where. The abstract shape and colors fascinated me and each work seemed to explore a different emotional perspective. And they were simply beautiful. In 1967 I began my music studies in New York and within a few months of arriving went to the Museum of Modern Art at W. 53rd street. On the way there I crossed paths with Moondog on the street near the museum dressed in his Viking outfit. From my first visit, the two artists I remember most vividly were Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder. Jackson Pollock's art washed over my senses and I stared at One: Number 31 1950 for what seemed to be hours. And Calder's mobiles danced in slow motion and also captivated me. Someday I will write a work to pay homage to him. Three Painters depicts what I see in the works of these artists as sound over time. The first movement (Yves Klein) explores the subtle changing orchestrational timbres on the pitch 'F'. The second movement (Zao Wou-ki) uses the instruments without their reeds and/or mouthpieces resulting in waves of air sounds washing over the senses. The Third movement (Jackson Pollock) is a jazz-like romp which transfers his vibrant visual energy to a full blown big band style played by the ensemble. The duration is 12 minutes.

Concert Band - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.917410 Composed by Gregory Fritze. 20th Century,Classical,Contemporary,Instructional,Standards. Score and parts. 267 pages. Musica Nova USA #6078853. Published by Musica Nova USA (A0.917410). Sinfonietta (alternate title Sinfonía de Vino y Aceite de Magallon) is a composition for concert band that can be played by any band whether it has 100 players or 30 players. It is at grade 3 level of difficulty and has several substitute parts for ensembles that may not have complete instrumentation. Although the scoring includes piccolo, oboes, bassoons, and French horns, these instruments are not needed to command a good performance.Sinfonietta adheres to classical forms of symphonies by composers such as Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. The forms are very clear so the players of the band can learn this important history. The first movement is in standard Sonata Allegro form.The second movement is in A B A form and features a solo trumpet. The third movementis in a Rondo form (A B A C A) with three distinct themes. The work was commissioned in 2017 by the town of Magallón, Spain in celebration of the town’s industries of wine and olive oil.  The mayor of the town of 1,000 inhabitants, Victor Manuel Chueca Rodriguez, was specific in his request for a composition at grade 3 level of difficulty. He also suggested the title as Symphony. Since it a three-movement composition instead of a four-movement composition (the normal Minuet and Trio movement is not included in this piece), the title of Sinfonietta instead of Symphony is used.Gregory Fritzeis a prize-winning composer and Fulbright Scholar, as well as an active performer and conductor. His compositions have been performed more than one thousand times in over twenty-six countries. He has written over ninety compositionsfor orchestra, band, chamber ensemblesand soloists.  He has won over sixty composition awards both nationally and internationally, including First Prize in the 1st WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) International Composition Contest2017, First Prize Winner of Reneé Fisher Composition Prize, First Prize Winner in Concurso Bienal de Composición de Musica para Banda, Ciudad de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), Menzione d'Onore  (highest award given) of the Mario Bernardo Angelo-Comneno International Music Competition by the Accademia Angelica Costantiniana Arti E Scienze (Italy), First Prize in the TUBA International Etude Composition Competition, the IBLA Grand Prize (Italy), 2nd Prize in the 2nd WASBE International Composition Contest 2019, several awards from The American Prize, annual composition awards from Standard Awards Panel of American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and many others.  He has been commissioned by The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, The Army Band Pershing’s Own of Washington, DC, The Banda Municipal of Bilbao, The Primativa de Lliria, and others. His compositions include works published by several publishers in the United States, South America and Europe and have been performed extensively throughout the world. He has thirty-three compositions commercially recorded on Albany Records, MSR Classics, Crystal Records, Mark Records and others. He has been a guest lecturer, conductor and performer at many colleges, universities and music festivals in the United States, Canada, Japan, South America and Europe. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1954 and has Composition degrees from the Boston Conservatory and Indiana University. He now resides in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.

Choral Choir (SSAA) - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.939403 Composed by Robert Debbaut. Contemporary. Octavo. 31 pages. ROBERT DEBBAUT #6342191. Published by ROBERT DEBBAUT (A0.939403).  American lyric poet Sara Trevor Teasdale (1884-1933) was the first woman and the first poet to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. She won the 1918 Pulitzer Prize for her 1917 collection entitled Love Songs. Teasdale was roundly praised for her lyric mastery and romantic subjects. Her poems most often take on the first person role of their female narrators and protagonists. Teasdale’s first poem was published in 1907. Later that year she published her first collection of poems, Sonnets to Duse and Other Poems, written mainly for the Italian actress Eleonora Duse. In 1911 her second collection Helen of Troy and Other Poems received high praise from critics. Her third collection, Rivers to the Sea from 1915 was and remains a best seller and has been reprinted several times. The three poems used here, Joy, The Answer, and .To Joy all date from 1915. These three poems were also included in her Pulitzer Prize-winning collection Love Songs. Teasdale was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 8, 1884. She was a sickly child, so much so that she was home schooled. As a young woman she had many suitors, including the poet Vachel Lindsay, who thought he could never provide for her. She eventually married businessman Ernst Filsinger, a great admirer of her poems. The couple relocated to New York City. Filsinger’s constant business travel left Teasdale very lonely and depressed. She eventually relocated to another state so she could quickly divorce him. Filsinger was shocked. Teasdale took up again with Vachel Lindsay, who has himself married and had children. Lindsay committed suicide in 1931 and Teasdale followed likewise two years later. She is interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

Small Ensemble Euphonium,Horn,Tuba - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.917404 Composed by Gregory Fritze. 20th Century,Concert,Standards. Score and parts. 61 pages. Musica Nova USA #4984119. Published by Musica Nova USA (A0.917404). Three Pieces for Tuba Ensemble is a collection of three pieces that were composed at different times for different occasions. This set makes up a good suite for concert performance. Although listed as a tuba ensemble compositions, euphoniums usually play the higher two parts. All three are written in five parts. Optional substitute parts for French Horn and Flüglehorn are also included in this set, as well as euphonium parts in treble clef.Salutation Fanfarewas composed in 1985 for performance at the New York Brass Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. That year, famous tubist Harvey Phillips was being honored at a special concert.  This piece started the concert with the composer conducting an ensemble of about twenty euphonium and tuba players made up of Indiana University alumni, free-lance musicians and other friends of Mr. Phillips. The piece is based on the phrase Harvey Phillips Mr. Tuba. Simple Giftsis a traditional American folksong that has been arranged by many composers over the years. This arrangement was done in 1990 for performance at the International Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association Conference held in Sapporo, Japan. It was premiered by the Colonial Tuba Quartet that year. It has been arranged in four parts as well as this arrangement in five parts.Octubafest Polkawas composed in 1976 at the request of Harvey Phillips for performance at the Octubafest activities at Indiana University. It was premiered by the Indiana University Tuba Ensemble that year, conducted by Harvey Phillips. Mr. Phillips was the first to use the word Octubafest, probably in 1974 or 1975. Octubafest celebrations have taken place at many schools and universities ever since, usually in the month of October. He said that having an Octubafest celebration early in the school year provided an opportunity for new students entering college to get to know each other. At Indiana University during Harvey Phillips’ tenure (1973 – 1996) the Octubafest concerts were always followed by a party at Harvey’s house, making for a good time for all. Gregory Fritze is a prize-winning composer and Fulbright Scholar, as well as an active performer and conductor. He recently retired from Berklee College of Music where he was Professor and Chair of Composition, serving on the faculty from 1979 to 2016. He has written over ninety compositions for orchestra, band, chamber ensembles and soloists. He has won over sixty composition awards both nationally and internationally, including First Prize in the 1991 TUBA International Etude Composition Competition, for his Twenty Characteristic Etudes for Tubaan important part of the tuba pedagogy repertoire. His compositions include works published by several publishers in the United States, South America and Europe and have been performed extensively throughout the world. He has been a frequent traveler to Spain since 1993 and has promoted compositions by Spanish composers around the world. He is the only composer who has been commissioned six times by Spanish bands for Certamen competitions, with each band winning first prize. He has thirty-three compositions commercially recorded on Albany Records, MSR Classics, Crystal Records, Mark Records and others. He has been a guest lecturer, conductor and performer at many colleges, universities and music festivals in the United States, Canada, Japan, South America and Europe. He was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1954 and has Composition degrees from the Boston Conservatory and Indiana University. He now resides in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.

String Orchestra - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.862523 Composed by Michael Bomier. Contemporary,Instructional,Standards. Score and parts. 53 pages. Michael Butkus-Bomier #2032829. Published by Michael Butkus-Bomier (A0.862523). The GateWay Editions First Position String Orchestra Series presents this three-movement suite. A Moderato of about 4 mins duration, an Andante, the featured portion of the suite, running about 7 mins, and a final Allegro, all clocking in at just under 14 mins. ALL notes are playable in first position for ALL sections, of course! The basses sometimes shift to 1 1/2 position, as is the usual pedagogy for their instrument. No fast notes across strings or trills. A minimum of accidentals. These three pieces use tightly controlled rhythms, intervals, and melodic fragments, to create a maximum of symphonic euphony through the combination of just a few musical elements. The audio clip is the complete suite. This work can be the centerpiece of a concert for a youth orchestra, a community group, or a high school ensemble. The phrases are not longer than 4 notes, many are two-note groups, making the choices for bowings much easier than longer strings of notes. Each part has the first movement on page one, the second movement on two facing pages, and the third one the last page, making for easy organization of music onstage and in rehearsal. Score is 33 pgs. MBB.

Piano,Trombone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548503 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christian,Christmas. Score and part. 4 pages. Jmsgu3 #3387395. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548503). The First Noel arranged for Trombone & Piano with new harmony for the final verse.Origins The First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is just a colloquial variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning Christmas. Therefore the First Noel translates as the First Christmas. First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the Carols Ancient and Modern songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert edited and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Trombone Version comes with new harmony in final verse for more energy and drive. Stainer Organist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870’s.  Stainer is above all famous for his songbook entitled: Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an important catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol.  Other famous Stainer arrangements from this book are such titles as What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships. Diatonic Function The melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice then follows a variation refrain. All three phrases of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song as kind of open-ended feeling – like maybe it never really ends. Political Context The Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk carols were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.  Register for free lifetime updates and revisions at www.jamesguthrie.com  

Piano,Tenor Saxophone - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548504 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie, ASCAP. Christian,Christmas. Score and part. 4 pages. Jmsgu3 #3387401. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548504). The First Noel arranged for Tenor Sax & Piano with new harmony for the final verse.Origins The First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is just a colloquial variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning Christmas. Therefore the First Noel translates as the First Christmas. First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the Carols Ancient and Modern songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert edited and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Alto Sax Version comes with new harmony in final verse for more energy and drive. Stainer Organist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870’s.  Stainer is above all famous for his songbook entitled: Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an important catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol.  Other famous Stainer arrangements from this book are such titles as What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships. Diatonic Function The melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice then follows a variation refrain. All three phrases of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song as kind of open-ended feeling – like maybe it never really ends. Political Context The Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk carols were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.  Register for free lifetime updates and revisions at www.jamesguthrie.com  

Piano Quartet - Level 1 - Digital Download SKU: A0.548639 Composed by Traditional. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Christmas. 10 pages. Jmsgu3 #3406037. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.548639). The First Nowell arranged for Piano Quartet featuring a thought-provoking re-harmonization of the final verse.OriginsThe First Noel is an English Christmas carol. Even more, it was probably written in the late Cornish Renaissance period. While other versions spell the title as Nowell, this is an everyday variation. Furthermore, Noel is an older word meaning “Christmas.� Therefore, “the First Noel� translates as “the First Christmas.� First of all, Gilbert and Sandy published the earliest version. As a result, this version appears in the “Carols Ancient and Modern� songbook of 1823. William Sandy edited and arranged the book. Similarly, his partner Davies Gilbert revised and added the familiar extra verses. The First Noel: Piano Quartet Version brings new harmony in the final verse for more energy and drive.StainerOrganist and composer Sir John Stainer published the most noteworthy customary arrangement in the 1870s. Stainer is, above all, famous for his songbook entitled Christmas Carols New and Old (1871). This volume served as an essential catalyst for reviving the English Christmas carol. Other favorite Stainer arrangements from this book include What Child Is This, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, and I Saw Three Ships.Diatonic FunctionThe melodic structure in the First Noel is uncommon among English folk tunes. It simply repeats one phrase twice and then follows a variation refrain. All three words of the song end on the mediant scale degree. This is unusual because the diatonic function of the mediant is non-final compared to the more usual tonic or even dominant degrees. Consequently, this gives the song an open-ended feeling – like maybe it never ends.Political ContextThe Catholic clergy sang carols outside of the church in Latin. After the Protestant Reformation, the reformers thought it would be better for everyone to sing carols. They decided to bring music back to the common folk. So, they translated the lyrics from Latin into a common language. Moreover, the Protestants wanted more control over the music in the church than what the Vatican allowed. Protestant composers such as William Byrd composed complex polyphonic Christmas music that they called carols. Nonetheless, some famous folk melodies were composed in this era. Eminent composers in the nineteenth century began to revise and adapt them. Consequently, they revived the English carol.