Edition: Jazz Studio Orchestra Arrangement with Solo Male Vocal and Vocal Group [SATB]

Description: Swing - Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

Over the years, Bing Crosby's silky smooth baritone has become an integral part of the sounds of the Christmas season. It goes without question, then, that his interpretation of Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride (music arranged by Walter Sheets and vocal group arranged by Jud Conlon) is one of the definitive versions of the modern holiday classic.

A delightful, but surprisingly ambitious introduction sets the stage for Crosby's entrance at measure 9. The brass stay in tight cup mutes throughout to fit the performance's natural warmth, as well as to serve as a contrast to the brightly staccato attacks of the high woodwinds. Rather than over-articulating accents, your wind players should approach them more as points of gentle emphasis. Conlon's choral writing does a wonderful job of providing both full-bodied support for Crosby's lead and playfully supportive responses; your vocal group should think of themselves as co-equals, rather than purely accompaniment.

At measure 57, Crosby steps back for a minute in order to let the vocal group have a moment to shine. Be sure to draw attention to how the instrumental accompaniment becomes a bit more flowing overall during this part to draw a contrast to the semi-percussive approach that occurs for most of the rest of the arrangement, especially in the winds. Crosby takes the lead back full-time at measure 89, with the choir emulating bell chimes before returning to the melody at measure 97. Things wrap up with some staggered pings in the woodwinds and brass, with a quick pizzicato from the strings to make for a clean, crisp ending.

This publication was prepared from Walter Sheets's pencil score and the original set of parts used for the 1952 recording - this is not a transcription.

 

Full Score
Solo Male Vocal
Vocal Group (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
Woodwind 1: Piccolo
Woodwind 2: Flute
Woodwind 3: Oboe
Woodwind 4: Clarinet
Woodwind 5: Bass Clarinet/Clarinet
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
3 Violins
Viola
Cello
Guitar
Piano
Acoustic Bass
Percussion: Glockenspiel/Drum Set/Sleigh Bells

Vocal Key: Eb
Trumpet 1: C6
Trombone 1: Bb4