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Carol of the Bells, originally written by the Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych, is one of the most famous pieces of holiday music in existence and was consequently the most famous piece he composed. This particular arrangement by Eric Rath juxtaposes other Christmas carols like God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen and features some modern-day influences like an optional bass guitar and some pop music chord progressions. This is the perfect compliment to any holiday themed concert where the percussion section can take center stage!
This arrangement of Carol of the Bells was premiered on December 13, 2016 by the Canyon High School Percussion Ensemble in Canyon, Texas.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Chimes
• Vibraphone
• 2 marimbas–low A
• 4 timpani
• Drums (bass drum, snare drum)
• Cymbals (suspended cymbal, china cymbal, crash cymbals)
• Accessories (triangle, tambourine)
• Bass guitar (optional)
This arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” is appropriate for junior high and some high school ensembles. It offers plenty of recognizable material to excite students and audience members while balancing it with new ideas that keep things interesting. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is included in this arrangement as well, à la Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s ever-popular “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.”
The timpani part requires two tuning changes: E-B-D-E to A-C-D-E, then back to E-B-D-E. The first change occurs over four measures of rest and the second change occurs over two measures of rest. These tunings utilize some extremes of individual drum ranges, so make sure your drums are properly tuned and in good repair.
Thanks to its short length (just under three minutes) and flexible instrumentation, this arrangement is easy to add to most holiday concerts.
—Brian Elizondo
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 1, February 2020
Carol of the Bells, originally written by the Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych, is one of the most famous pieces of holiday music in existence and was consequently the most famous piece he composed. This particular arrangement by Eric Rath juxtaposes other Christmas carols like God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen and features some modern-day influences like an optional bass guitar and some pop music chord progressions. This is the perfect compliment to any holiday themed concert where the percussion section can take center stage!
This arrangement of Carol of the Bells was premiered on December 13, 2016 by the Canyon High School Percussion Ensemble in Canyon, Texas.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Chimes
• Vibraphone
• 2 marimbas–low A
• 4 timpani
• Drums (bass drum, snare drum)
• Cymbals (suspended cymbal, china cymbal, crash cymbals)
• Accessories (triangle, tambourine)
• Bass guitar (optional)
This arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” is appropriate for junior high and some high school ensembles. It offers plenty of recognizable material to excite students and audience members while balancing it with new ideas that keep things interesting. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is included in this arrangement as well, à la Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s ever-popular “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.”
The timpani part requires two tuning changes: E-B-D-E to A-C-D-E, then back to E-B-D-E. The first change occurs over four measures of rest and the second change occurs over two measures of rest. These tunings utilize some extremes of individual drum ranges, so make sure your drums are properly tuned and in good repair.
Thanks to its short length (just under three minutes) and flexible instrumentation, this arrangement is easy to add to most holiday concerts.
—Brian Elizondo
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 1, February 2020
