Christmas Spectacle
Benjamin Hanby (arr. Robert W. Smith)
General Info
Year: 2020
Duration: c. 2:00
Difficulty: I-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: RWS Music Co.
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $50.00; (digital) - $50.00 | Score Only (print) - $8.00
Instrumentation
- Full Score
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- B-flat Bass Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- E-flat Baritone Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet
- Horn in F
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Timpani
- Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:
- *Bass Drum
- *Bells
- *Crash Cymbals
- *Sleigh Bells
- *Snare Drum
- *Suspended Cymbal
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
According to the dictionary, a "spectacle" is a visually striking performance or display. The plural use of the word also refers to eyeglasses with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place. Our Christmas Spectacle is all of the above: a true music spectacle featuring very special effects.
The underlying melody is Up on a Housetop, with a little Jingle Bells to cap it off.
- Program Note excepted from score
A true musical spectacle for the young band featuring optional lighting effects! The arranger suggests each band member decorate their stand with electric lights. Each section turns on their lights before their feature, drawing both musical and visual focus. During the percussion feature, the on and off lighting effects create a virtual light show. The arranger also suggests the band wear holiday decorative glasses to complete the Christmas spectacle.
- Program Note from publisher
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
- Video: Reference recording and perusal score
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Tuttle (Okla.) Middle School 8th Grade Band (Taylor Steier, conductor) - 15 December 2025
- West Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.) Symphonic Band (Josh Tyree, conductor) – December 2021
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Low Voice on the Housetop (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Pasternak) (1864/2020)
- Up on the Housetop (Flex Instrumentation) (arr. Woodrow) (1864/2020)
All Wind Works
- Christmas Spectacle (arr. Smith) (1864/2020)
- Darling Nellie Gray
- Housetop Fantasy (arr. Saucedo) (1864/2024)
- Housetop Holiday Jam! (arr. Grant) ( 2011)
- Low Voice on the Housetop (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Pasternak) (1864/2020)
- Stomping on the Housetop (arr. Story) (2007)
- Up on a Haunted Housetop (arr. Watson) (2011)
- Up on a Housetop (arr. Simmons) (1864/1998)
- Up on the Housetop (Flex Instrumentation) (arr. Woodrow) (1864/2020)