Hewitt Jones, Thomas: The Christmas Story. Rental
Duration: 15 minutes
For 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns (4th horn optional), 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion (2 players), Harp, SATB Choir (and congregation), Organ and Strings
The Christmas Story was commissioned by Canto Deo choirs and orchestra in Denver, Colorado and their conductor Jonathan Brown, and received its premiere in Christmas 2021. Scored for Narrator, Orchestra and Choir joining for the last movement, it is a rich and multicoloured musical setting of the Christmas story according to Luke’s Gospel. Written as a dramatic retelling of the Nativity, the journey to the manger is depicted through symphonic orchestration, dramatic underscore and soaring melody. The final culmination of the piece is a warm, life-affirming rendition of ‘Silent Night’ with choir and orchestra, during which audiences and congregations are encouraged to sing along with the melody line if possible and desired.
Full score, vocal scores and instrumental material