Favorite Christmas Song

[scottw]

Gesu Bambino has always been my favorite among many; having just played it in brass ensemble, though, a new favorite is rising: When A Child Is Born. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

[TubaRay]

My favourite "classic" song is Carol of the Bells.

My favourite "obscure" song is Mary, Did You Know... great tune!

Mary, Did You Know is a beautiful tune. Choir & orchestra?

I work for a theatre company, and they do a show of Christmas carols with big band each December, and they did Mary Did You Know last year. I've never heard it with choir, but I bet it'd be gorgeous that way! We had an alto with a gorgeous rich voice singing it with the band, and it was incredible.

Yes. It makes a wonderful alto solo, as well.

[Teubonium]

Can't narrow it to just one, but here are my two favorites:

1. Carol of the Bells - Chip Davis arrangement (Manheim Steamroller)

2. Ding Dong! Merrily on High arr. by Leif Strand & Olov Helge adapted for
concert band by Jay Dawson

[rocksanddirt]

Wow. I love nearly all of it. Even some of the crazy stuff (Spike Jones, Angel in the Christmas Play for example)....

One of my favorites is 'Oh Holy Night' done with a real church tenor, and piano (not an operatic or pop tenor).

but really....all of it is just great to celebrate the season and it's many meanings to everyone.

[Steve Marcus]

Mary, Did You Know is a beautiful tune. Choir & orchestra?...I've never heard it with choir, but I bet it'd be gorgeous that way!

It is. Chicago Master Singers performed it with the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra a few years ago. Hauntingly beautiful.

[Mark]

"Blue Christmas" Miles Davis.

"O Holy Night" Tom Kubis arrangement with Wayne Bergeron landing a Triple high A (I think?).

I just played this a little over a week ago. Also a few other Kubis arrangements and most of the charts from the Stan Kenton Christmas album. And, I actually got paid to do it. Life is good!

[LoyalTubist]

I'm tossed between "Santa Baby" (Eartha Kitt) and "All I Want for Christmas is You" (Mariah Carey). Those songs really put me into the GIVING spirit.

[bearphonium]

Adeste Fideles, hands down. In Latin.

To play, I'd guess either Dave Werden's Silent Night or Tony Clements' "Chipmunk Song".

[Bob Kolada]

N/A

[LoyalTubist]

Eartha is dressed decently.

[PWtuba]

Lo How a Rose E're Blooming.

[OldsRecording]

A good performance of O Holy Night or Gesu Bambino can make me lose it. One time I was listening to Frederike von Stade doing 'Gesu' on the radio while driving. I almost had to pull over. I have also always loved the version of Once in Royal David's City from the Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College. On the flip side, I always consider it a good Holiday season if I can make it all the way to January without hearing Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer.

[windshieldbug]

...when sung by one of those battery-operated plaque-mounted fish bought from WALGREEN'S.

Don't you like BASS trombone?

[ken k]

he never learned his scales....

[ken k]

I wonder if that was arranged by Gil Evans....

[ken k]

the problem with those mounted fish things is you can't stop them. Once they start you just have to wait until they fin-ish....

[tubatooter1940]

Ray Stevens has the best grasp of the real Christmas spirit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g1TtJqHY_s" target="_blank