Wright & Round: Christmas with Extra Sparkle

Five ways to add sparkle to a Christmas programme — from sleigh bells and big-band swing to a high-speed reindeer journey...

There are plenty of great festive favourites to add to your concert

Thursday, 12 November 2026

With the start of the festive concert season just about upon us conductors know where the gaps are in their Christmas programme.

The opening and finale may be settled, but the middle still needs contrast: an item to lift the tempo, a different style after the carols, or something with enough character to make an audience sit up.

Festive favourites

'Sleigh Ride' remains one of the great orchestral pictures of Christmas, packed with movement and familiar seasonal colour.

'Troika' brings a different kind of winter journey, its driving rhythm instantly evoking a fast ride through the snow, whilst 'Reindeer Express' takes the idea in a more playful direction and is an obvious choice for a family concert.

'A Glenn Miller Christmas' changes the sound world as Philip Harper recasts festive material in the style of the famous big band, bringing swing, warmth and a welcome touch of nostalgia, and 'Nordic Polska' offers another contrast with its folk-dance character.

Choose one or two and the whole programme can feel more varied, more polished and much less predictable.

More information:

Purchase and view PDF samples
Wright & Round Christmas catalogue

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us

Wright & Round: Christmas with Extra Sparkle

Festive favourites

More information:

Sleigh Ride:

Troika:

Reindeer Express:

A Glenn Miller Christmas:

Nordic Polska:

Wright & Round

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.