On Christmas Night
Voice or Violins

On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol) for 2 voices or instruments, now with a simple harmony part (all open strings) for violin beginners! This pretty, vibrant Christmas carol is old-fashioned with a traditional English feeling, yet is fairly unknown.  



My beginning singing class learned it very easily and liked it at once, and the violin duet (new) is tailor-made for a beginner who struggles to count.

I love the energy and joy in this song. The Christmas carol lyrics are to the point: "Then why should men on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad? When from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty!"

Here is perhaps the most elegant choir rendition of "On Christmas Night" that you will hear on Youtube; David Willcocks' arrangement of the Sussex Carol, sung by the Choir of King's College. Most lovely: 



Now for the new violin duet:

Easy Christmas duet for beginning violin players

Download easy Christmas duet for violin beginners

Yes, part 2 is all OPEN STRINGS.  I said this was for a beginner!  Believe me, just counting and changing bow direction every 3 beats is going to be a challenge for a new violinist, especially when part 1 is moving the bow continually!  It isn't easy to hold steady when your partner is moving fast.  And yes, I have 2 students even now working on this duet for the upcoming Christmas recital...

On Christmas Night, free duet for voice or instruments

Download free Christmas sheet music On Christmas Night 

Though I have set this vocal arrangement mostly in 2 parts, the "alto" or Part II splits off, briefly making 3 voices in the first two lines. If you don't have three singers or instrumentalists, then choose one of the alto parts and don't worry about the missing voice. 

The following recording of Sussex Carol is by Brian Dunning, Jeff Johnson, and John Fitzpatrick from A Windham Hill Christmas: 



Enjoy the fresh simplicity of this little carol...

Merry Christmas! 




Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Piano Sheet Music for Kids "Kookaburra," from Australia!

    Piano sheet music for kids "Kookaburra" is one of those famous songs a lot of us remember from childhood! Now offered as a vocal round in the key of C, this song from Australia is very fun to sing!

    Read More

  2. The Moldau Solo & Duet Easy Beginner Piano Sheet Music

    The Moldau, now with a secondo duet part for beginning piano. This famous piece is one of the most beautiful themes of Romantic orchestral literature.

    Read More

  3. Free Fur Elise Sheet Music - Beautifully Readable Copies

    Fur Elise sheet music in its entirety, with quarter notes for easy deciphering! These beautiful transcriptions are perfect for students who've just mastered coordination of right hand melody against l…

    Read More

  4. Irish Piano Sheet Music Keegan's Waltz

    Beautiful Irish piano sheet music, now for late elementary as well as for intermediate students, this lovely, lilting piece in a minor key will easily win their hearts.

    Read More

  5. Fuzzy Wuzzy, Free, Easy Sheet Music, 4 Versions

    Fuzzy Wuzzy, now with a RIGHT HAND ONLY arrangement, is a cute piano piece that uses rests to create musical surprise.

    Read More



See what's new at Music-for-Music-Teachers.  Use the sign-up form below to receive "Take Note":







Comments

Do you have a funny story about this music, or does it remind you of something you'd like to share with other readers? Do you have a question? I'd love to hear it!

Please note that all comments are moderated, and will not appear until I have approved them. Also, IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR MUSIC THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, YOUR REQUEST WILL BE IGNORED. That's pretty much any music written in the last 75 years...

Comments

Have your say... Leave me a comment in the box below.