I’ve wanted to write a fun and groovy composition for Christmas for a little while, and when inspiration struck, I giggled and went with the flow. I woke up one morning in late November, humming an Afro-Cuban bass line. I got into the shower, and somehow the clave pattern of that bass line had morphed into a rhythmic O Holy Night. I went to write it down, and other Christmas carols yammered to be included. I obliged.
This piece combines O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Deck The Halls, and even a line of Oh Christmas Tree (feel free to use the German words, if you prefer.) The original conception is for 2-voices and upright bass, but substitute with piano as necessary. Maybe even throw in a shaker.
Midi: Christmas Clave SA midi file
(I have also started working on an a cappella SATB version, but the school year has begun once again and I make no promises. If you are interested and I still haven’t posted it by the time Christmas music comes around again, send me an email.)
If you perform any of my works, please email me at heather (dot) k (dot) graves (at) gmail (dot) com, as I would love to hear others’ versions of my compositions. Thanks! Please also contact me if you would like the MuseScore file.
Heather Graves Soderling 