Christmas Star (A Holiday Fanfare)
Christmas Star (A Holiday Fanfare) - Randall Standridge
Celebrate the season with Christmas Star (A Holiday Fanfare) by Randall Standridge, a fast-paced and festive work for developing bands. Set in B♭ major and in driving 4/4 time, this Grade 1.5–2 selection weaves together familiar holiday melodies including Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, We Three Kings, Ukrainian Bell Carol, and O Tannenbaum.
Each tune appears in turn, building energy and color throughout the ensemble before culminating in a brilliant statement of “Star of Wonder” from We Three Kings. Bright, exciting, and full of seasonal spirit, Christmas Star is an excellent choice for opening or closing a holiday concert.
---I love Christmas.
The lights, the gatherings, the music, the general sense that for a little while, the world slows down just enough for us to enjoy it. But if I had to pick one tradition that I love the most, it would be decorating the Christmas tree. Every ornament has a story. Some are old. Some are new. Some are meaningful. Some are… a little questionable. But they all find a place on the tree. And at the very end, there is that one final moment.
Putting the star on top.
Christmas Star is my attempt to capture that feeling in music. This high-energy holiday fanfare weaves together a variety of familiar seasonal melodies, including Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, We Three Kings, Ukrainian Bell Carol, O Tannenbaum, and more. Each tune appears like an ornament, adding color and character as the piece builds. And then, at the climax, we arrive at the “star of wonder” section from We Three Kings. That moment serves as the musical tree topper, shining above everything that came before it. This piece is meant to be joyful, festive, and just a little bit nostalgic. Whether it opens your concert or brings it to a close, I hope it captures a bit of that magic we all feel during the holiday season. Because at the end of it all, after the decorations are up and the music is playing, sometimes the most meaningful moments are the simplest ones.
Peace, Love, and Music - Randall