Jolly Ol’ Nick

Seasonal theme & variations
for beginner or intermediate band

CD cover art This work is a ‘theme & variations’ type piece based on the popular Christmas song “Jolly Old St. Nicholas”.

In the first movement, the entire band presents the “theme”. The following three movements feature the brass section, the woodwinds section, and the percussion section in that order, with a fun little zinger at the end.

Approx. total performance time: 3:30

This piece was commissioned by the Vogelweh Elementary School band in Kaiserslautern, Germany, then under the direction of my wife. I hesitate to brag, but she had a 3rd-thru-5th grade band that would be the envy of many a Stateside intermediate school band. Really!

This piece was premiered at the band’s Christmas concert at the school in December, 1988.

The demo here was produced using electro-acoustic instruments from the EastWest Quantum Leap sound libraries.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

— Colossians 3:17
The Bible (NKJV)

The music of Charles O. Beck

Jolly Ol’ Nick

Seasonal theme & variations for beginner or intermediate band

Seasonal theme & variations
for beginner or intermediate band