Comments

Recorder/Violin part

For young recorder and violin players, the keys of G and D will be most familiar, and the first four pages should not present too many problems.

Away in a Manger (page 5) often appears in key F, so has been included here in this key; but I have also included a version in key G, since it is such a favourite with young children.

There are another seven carols in flat keys towards the end of the book. Some of these may be rather ambitious for beginners - but of course these are the very keys that young B flat clarinet players enjoy!

Percussion parts

There are percussion parts provided for each carol, with tuned percussion included for

	Past Three O'clock (page 3)
	Away in a Manger (page 5 - in G)
	Everybody's Waiting [Christmas Eve] (page 6)
	Rocking (page 6)
	Blow the Trumpet (Il est né ...) (page 7)
	O Little Town of Bethlehem (page 7)

To hear a performance of the full carol, simply click its title on the music score. To hear an individual percussion part just click on the name of the instrument.

B flat Instruments

Although the sharp keys are not so straightforward for young clarinettists, schools have reported how well children respond to the challenge of these opening carols.

Away in a Manger (page 5) is set out in two keys. Non-specialist teachers may not realise that for B flat clarinettists to join in with violins, recorders etc, the clarinet players should play their version in key A, while the others play in key G. Alternatively of course, clarinets are in key G, while the rest move down to key F. (Don't try all the Gs together!)

Most of the subsequent carols are in flat keys, so here the advantage definitely lies with the B flat players.