Christmas Rounds to Sing
Christ is Born, 3 parts
Christmas rounds to sing for your choir or vocal group!
Offered here in three different keys, this lovely melody by Franz Joseph Haydn is not well-known. It begins with a slow, sturdy first line, which is followed by two flowing ornate lines.
Haydn didn't put these lyrics to the melody; I did.
I frequently substitute lyrics in public domain works, particularly if the original lyrics are a foreign language, or the occasion calls for it.
The children's choir singing in the video is using different words than mine - "Welcome, all...", which can be found in the book "150 ROUNDS for Singing and Teaching".
Please scroll down the page for the free PDF links.
Because of limited time and the inability of my vocal students to get together to practice more than a scant few minutes two times, I'm using a different approach with this round:
- Singer 1, a senior boy, will sing solo line 1, then keep singing it. Over and over, for a total of 4 passes.
- When part 2 comes, that singer (a high-voiced young lady), will sing that line, and also sing ONLY that line. She will sing it 3 times total.
- When part 3 comes, that young lady to whom the part is given will sing it through, then repeat it. She will only sing it 2 times in all.
We'll see how this goes! I like the idea of the young man's low voice forming a slow bass foundation to the very-much-higher alleluia lines.
Update: Yes, this worked well! I'd do it again.
The book "150 Rounds" is full of unknown, interesting rounds like this one, as well as canons that are complicated and unpredictable.
The links to the vocal round PDFs:
Download Christ is Born in the key of A (shown)
Download Christmas rounds to sing song in the key of Bb
Download Christ is Born round in the key of C
More Rounds at Music-for-Music-Teachers.com
A pretty round with a reach of an octave, slow-moving notes, and easy intervals. The scale-wise movement makes this song easy for a beginner.
With lyrics from an older time, this is more difficult than many rounds, but compensatingly more beautiful, with more complex harmonies as well!
From Canada, a minor harmony round with energy and a catchy melody.
New lyrics for an old round by Haydn - well-suited to a mix of voices, a satisfying round
Christmas is Coming, the Goose is Getting Fat
Lots of big interval jumps, even octaves, make this round fun and tricky.
Originally from Germany (Kaffee), this is great fun to sing, and a lasting favorite with my students! With English lyrics - by me - that mention mochas, lattes, and "coffee black!"
A fancy melody from the 1600's with rhythmic intricacies, that is also pretty!
Difficult! Quite difficult for beginners, this beautiful round works best with a bigger group of singers, or even instrumentalists, unless your singers are experienced with harmony, and good note readers.
For Health & Strength & Daily Bread
Pretty, and fairly easy, as it moves primarily in descending steps, this is a wonderful Thanksgiving song!
The famous French melody.
Meditative, slow, and minor... a lovely round. This is a lullaby.
Not a lullaby! This is a brisk bidding farewell to friends, in a major key.
Haida is vigorous and fun - there are two spots that invite a clap, adding to the rhythmic feeling of this song. Along with "Coffee," this is a favorite, frequently requested!
The Hart, He Loves the High Hill
This brisk but pretty round from England contrasts a deer with a rabbit, and a man with a woman! "The lady loves her WILL!" (getting her own way).
Have You Seen the Ghost of John
An unbelievably pretty round, with lyrics that DO NOT do it justice! One of my students' perennial favorites. I have added alternate lyrics in Latin, to make it sing-able for Christmas.
The first round I use with beginning singers. Very singable!
Another brisk Hebrew round, lovely and minor.
A fun 2-part round from Australia, good for classroom singing
Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
A happy song, easy to learn!
A very pretty little tune with nice major harmonies. A quick study!
Short, and very easy. This is a sweet melody with simple harmonies.
A pretty song with lovely lyrics
A song about peace, from Israel. Very lovely.
Viva la musica
A little different - there is a bit of dissonance to learn to sing through. A joyful melody!
A pretty little round with two parts and two verses, about white coral bells flowers along a garden path.
A street-seller's cry from England.
Dianna:
Your website is a light in the darkness. THANK YOU for all you do in helping to spread the love of music. It matters!
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This book is also available from Amazon as a paperback.
This book is available as a digital download from this site. Visit this page to see some free examples from the book.
It is also available from Amazon as a paperback!
This is the perfect easy start for little pianists.
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Shanette, US:
I just purchased O Holy Night to use as a duet for Christmas Eve Mass.
Thank you so much for this simple, easy to read version as my vocalists are not professional and this music won't be quite so intimidating as other arrangements I have. Your expertise is much appreciated!! Merry Christmas!
Liz:
Hello - I just want to say THANK YOU so much for the duet version of Oh Holy night (in Bb too!), which is great, as I have two students at school that are going to sing this in a concert in 3 weeks.
With not much time and no budget, it is so nice to find an arrangement! Thank you.
Amber:
Thank you! THANK YOU!!! For keeping the beautiful art of Opera alive!
I stumbled upon this site and I'm so happy I did!
With autistic students, I have also observed the curved under pinkie finger and reluctance to use it at all. Fingering and hand position seems to be my biggest challenge (along with counting) though he mimics rhythms well.
He gets aggravated with me in my trying to review as he seldom forgets anything. This year he is doing much better at taking correction from me.
He is a fascinating young man (of 9) and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of teaching him and his precious presence on my piano bench.
I look forward to your continued insight.
Louise:
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your free printable sheet music. I am a piano teacher from the UK who has recently moved to a very remote location in Australia!
I found little to no decent music for my children to learn anywhere close by anyway and this website has been more than helpful as I've scoured around looking for resources. Just wanted to share my thanks! Blessings to you.
About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
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