Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: December 21, 2024

Christmas music can have an interesting history. For example, the composer of “Carol of the Bells” was assassinated. The melody used for one carol comes from a cantata celebrating the invention of movable type. And a number of popular secular Christmas tunes were written by a Jewish World War II veteran. But today’s edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion begins with a “Christmas Fanfare” composed the Scottish cornet player and composer Brian Keachie. For 29 years, Keachie was the principal cornet player for the Kilmarnock Concert Brass Band, which has won numerous brass-band contests. He has been featured on numerous radio and television shows.

1. Christmas Fanfare
   Composer:  Brian Keachie
   Performer:  Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwod
   Album:  Royal Christmas
     
2. Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending (Helmsley)
   Composer:  Martin Madan (1726-1790)
   Performer:  English Brass Ensemble & Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral
   Album:  Christmas from St. Paul
     
3. Angels Carol
   Composer:  Sir John Rutter (1945- )
   Performer:  Black Dyke Band
   Album:  Brass at Christmas
     
4. Rejoice and Be Merry
   Composer:  John Rutter (1945- )
   Performer:  Black Dyke Band
   Album:  Brass at Christmas
     
5. Christmas Dragnet
   Composer:  Stan Freberg (1926-2015)
   Performer:  Stan Freberg & Friends
   Album:  Dr. Demento Presents he Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time
     
6. Minor Alternations: Christmas Through the Looking Glass
   Composer:  David Lovrien (1963- )
   Performer:  Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwod
   Album:  Royal Christmas
   See Sousa Music.
     
7. Christmas Bells (a.k.a. Carol of the Bells)
   Composer:  Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921)
   Performer:  Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwod
   Album:  Royal Christmas
     
8. Last Christmas
   Composer:  George Michael (1963-2016)
   Performer:  Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwod
   Album:  Royal Christmas
     
9. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree (1953)
   Composer:  Johnny Marks (1909-1985)
   Performer:  Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Collingwod
   Album:  Royal Christmas
     
10. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
    Performer:  English Brass Ensemble & Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral
    Album:  Christmas from St. Paul
      
11. It Must Have Been Ol' Santa Claus
    Composer:  Harry Connick, Jr. (1967- )
    Performer:  New Zealand Army Band
    Album:  Christmas
      
12. Santarific
    Composer:  Harry Connick, Jr. (1967- )
    Performer:  Harry Connick, Jr., & His Band (Lucien Barbarin assisting with vocals)
    Album:  What a Night