Holiday Pops Music ~
Chorus & Orchestra
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
(An arrangement of the popular carol)
See Description, Instrumentation, Text Info, and Reviews at bottom of page.
STATUS: Re-formatting into Sibelius — should be available in summer 2026
PRINT PRICE: $250 + S/H (This includes string parts up to 12, 12, 10, 8, 6.)
PDF PRICE: $185 for a set of PDFs of the full score and all the parts
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FULL SCORE EXCERPT / CHORAL SCORE EXCERPT
SOUND CLIPS:
♦ If you're considering this piece, please contact me to request a demo of the pops version.
♦ You can hear excerpts of this piece in a chamber orchestra version by clicking here.
SCORING: Large SATB chorus, accompanied by a large pops orchestra —
See the “Instrumentation” tab below. / DURATION: ca. 4:00
DIFFICULTY: The choral parts are moderately difficult, but the instrumental parts are quite challenging, so I recommend that this piece be performed only by professional players.
DESCRIPTION
This joyful and majestic arrangement starts off with a series of festive brass fanfares, accompanied by a flurry of 16th notes in the strings and woodwinds.
This flurry of 16th notes returns to accompany the chorus in the final verse, driving the piece home to its dramatic conclusion.
INSTRUMENTATION
CHOIR: Large SATB chorus
WOODWINDS:
3 Flutes (2nd and 3rd Flutes double on Piccolo)
1 Oboe + 1 English Horn
2 Clarinets in Bb + 1 Bass Clarinet
2 Bassoons + 1 Contrabassoon
BRASS:
4 Horns
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
1 Tuba
PERCUSSION:
1 timpanist (4 timps), plus 3 percussionists on the following instruments: Glockenspiel, Chimes, Piatti, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Mark Tree
HARP: 1 Harp
KEYBOARD: 1 electronic keyboard with the following three sounds: acoustic piano, celeste, church organ
STRINGS: Ideally, a minimum of 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, but slightly less than this is also doable.
TEXT INFO
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words by Charles Wesley, 1739
Complete text:
(Prologue:)
Joyful, all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise!
Join the triumph of the skies.
With th'Angelic Host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail th'incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that we no more may die!
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
REVIEWS
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is now a stand-alone piece, but was once part of the medley “A Garland of Carols.”
You can read reviews of “A Garland of Carols“ here.
