Holiday Pops Music ~
FULL Orchestra & Chorus
“I Saw Three Ships”
(An arrangement of the traditional English carol)
See Description, Instrumentation, Text Info, and Reviews at bottom of page.
STATUS: Re-formatting into Sibelius — will be available in summer 2025
SOUND CLIP* / FULL SCORE EXCERPT**
* This recording features the chamber-orchestra version — the full-orchestra version is even more dramatic and colorful!
** This pdf shows the full-orchestra version, which has a different and more dramatic opening than the chamber-orchestra version heard in the sound clip.
SCORING: Large SATB chorus, accompanied by a large pops orchestra —
See the “Instrumentation” tab below. / DURATION: ca. 5:15
DIFFICULTY: The choral parts are not very difficult, but the instrumental parts are quite challenging, so I recommend that this piece be performed only by professional players.
PDF PRICE: $250 / HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER
NOTE: This arrangement will be available in summer 2025.
DESCRIPTION
This arrangement features colorful and evocative orchestration throughout, but a favorite part of mine is the treatment of the 6th verse: “And all the bells on earth shall ring” — the effect of the sopranos and altos doubling the chimes and the glockenspiel is truly exciting!
A delightful surprise occurs midway through the carol, when the chorus is interrupted by an extended orchestral interlude that has fun making many playful variations on the simple melody before allowing the chorus to return.
This exuberant piece has proven to be a crowd-pleaser every time it has been performed!
INSTRUMENTATION
CHOIR: Large SATB chorus
WOODWINDS:
2 Flutes + 1 Piccolo
1 Oboe + 1 English Horn
2 Clarinets in Bb and A (3rd Clarinet doubles on 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, Xylophone, Chimes, Piatti, Suspended Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal (suspended), Snare Drum, Triangle, Tambourine, Mark Tree, Finger Cymbal
HARP: 1 Harp
KEYBOARD: 1 electronic keyboard with the following two sounds: acoustic piano, celeste
STRINGS: Ideally, a minimum of 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, but slightly less than this is also doable.
TEXT INFO
I Saw Three Ships
Traditional English text
Complete text:
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three?
Our Savior Christ, and his Lady.
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three?
O they sailed into Bethlehem.
[Orchestral interlude]
And all the bells on earth shall ring.
And all the angels in Heaven shall sing.
And all the souls on earth shall sing.
Then let us all rejoice amain! [“amain” = greatly]
REVIEWS
Richard P. Hoffman, conductor:
“It was my happy privilege to work with Peter Bloesch on the première of his delightful work, 'Fantasia on Two Christmas Carols' [which contains 'I Saw Three Ships']. How refreshing and brilliant this piece turned out to be!
Not content merely to write splendid choral music, Bloesch showed a mastery at orchestration as well, and the combined effect was dazzling. My choir was particularly impressed with Bloesch's choral writing and his thoughtful use of the voice.
This work, and the holiday pieces which have followed in subsequent years, are destined to be found in the repertoire of fine orchestras and choruses everywhere.”
— Richard P. Hoffman, former Professor of Music Education and Choral Music, Coe College
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Joe Harnell, Hollywood composer and arranger:
“Your 'Fantasia on Two Christmas Carols' [which contains 'I Saw Three Ships'] is brilliant — fast and fun throughout.
I hope that orchestras and choruses around the country will take note of your arrangements, because they're terrific!”
— Joe Harnell Film Composer, and Grammy Award-winning arranger for many celebrated singers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Beverly Sills
