Jon Schmidt - Christmas Book

Table of Contents

©2002 JS Productions All Rights ReservedAny duplication of this material for any reason requires express written consent

Were You There? (Natalie Sleeth) . . . . . . . . . 1I Saw Three Ships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Christmas Medley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 (What Child is This, Carol of the Bells, We Three Kings)

Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella . . . . . 22Star Carol (Alfred Burt). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Susser de Glocken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Stars Were Gleaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

Christmas Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. . . 55Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming. . . . . . 58Christmas Hymn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Jon Schmidt Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

1Were You There?

Were You There?

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• It would be pretty hard to beat my high school choir

experience. Some of my best memories are of when we • Rubato means that you use dynamics and/or tempo to

would perform all over the city during the holidays.This great song by Natalie Sleeth was one of my favorites.

create a subtle rise and fall effect whenever you feel so inclined.

• Here is a handy rhythm guide to which you can refer to for all of the songs, except "Stars were Gleaming":

= 70�Tenderly; rubato (see Helpful Hints)

copyright ©2002 arranged by Jon Schmidt

= 1 beat ( also equals 1 beat)

= 2 beats ( also equals 2 beats)

= 3 beats ( . also equals 3 beats)

= 4 beats ( also equals 4 beats)

Two of these: = 1 beat

��

� ��_

written by Natalie Sleeth

©1976 Hope Publishing (ASCAP). Used by permission.

1

5

9

The Jon Schmidt numbering system you are about to see is an excellent rhythm aid when counted with a beat

pedal ad-lib except where noted

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 etc. make beat 4 your friend 3 4 5 6

4

2Were You There?

13

17

21

25

29

4

1 2 3 4 5 6

G

if your hand is big enough, do what I do and play the B down an octave (with the L.H.)

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4

3 4 5

3Were You There?

34G

38 note (like grace notes but gentler) for full value and use the pedal markingsThis measure sounds best if you hold all notes

41 slow cresc.

45

48

attach these notes to the following

A

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2

1

3 4 5

1

6 &

1 2

1

& 3

5

4 5 6 &

1

5

slow decresc.

3 4 5 6rit.

4Were You There?

53 more sensitive and slightly slower

58G

62

67

71

a tempo

____________________________ ________________________

1 2 3 4 5 6 &

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 &1 2 3 4 5 6 rit.

a tempo

small hand: play last chord one note at a time slowly beginning with the bottom

rit. small hand: see below

5I Saw Three Ships

I Saw Three Ships

8 va - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8 - - - - - 8 va - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

15

22

� � = 120 -135

copyright ©2002 intro: kind of a "call / echo" type of ... you know


1 2 3(Rhythm impaired? These numbers will help you figure out what each note is worth.)

1 2 34 5 6 1 2 34 5 6 4 5 6 etc.

deranged by Jon Schmidttraditional

|

now lively yet soft (save room for an underlying crescendo to the song's high point)

feel two strong beats per measure (like a march)

| | | | | | | | | | |

6I Saw Three Ships

27

52

31

53

2

54

32

37

42

46

1

slow cresc.

slow cresc.

simile

1

7I Saw Three Ships

51 52

31

53

2

54

( )

12

notes in parentheses optional

4 2 5

55 31

53 5

24

59

63|

67

|L.H. option

cresc.

now for the chimes section

8 vb

�A

accent simile

might want to use �A at slower tempo

8 vb

cresc.

8 vb

8I Saw Three Ships

714 4 3

5 4 2

75

79

831 2 3 1 2

875

1 4 31

5|

important

5 2 3 1 2 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

cresc.

simile

�A

no pedal this measure

3

�A

cresc.

no pedal

R.H. option

cresc.

9I Saw Three Ships

91

955

99

103 4 1

5

107

8 va - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

change to a rock feel with a strong off-beat

simile

simile

cresc.

simile

( )optional

simile

( )

10I Saw Three Ships

111

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

115

119

123

127

( ) ( )

�A

dim.

11I Saw Three Ships

131

135

139

144

149

bring out melody

as before

A

A

12I Saw Three Ships

154

1598 va - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

164 - - - - - - - - -

169

173

cresc.

dim.

no pedal lift until last note

rit.

13

Freely

Christmas Medley

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• I had Simon & Garfunkle’s famous tune: "Are you going to

Scarborough Fair" in mind when I did this arrangement (for optimal performance, keep the feel of that song inmind).

• Don’t rush, period (the only possible exception mightbe on 3rd and long…but be careful of the screen or the quarterback draw).

copyright ©2002

= 125�arranged by Jon Schmidt & Chuck Myers

Christmas Medley

"What Child Is This" : Traditional"We Three Kings" : Traditional

"Carol of the Bells" : P. Wilhousky, M. Leontovich

8

14

now gentle, with a laid back approach to the rhythm(otherwise it can start sounding like too many notes)


rit. a tempo

"Carol of the Bells" ©1936 Carl Fischer Inc. (ASCAP) used by permission

14Christmas Medley

19

(pp)

24

29

34

(pp)

39

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3

|

4 5 6 1 2 3

1 1

1 2 3

1

5

22 4

4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 23 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 1 2 3

|

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3

2

13

15Christmas Medley

43 bring out melody

48

53

58

(L.H.)

63

1 2 3

simile1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

25

14

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6

5

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 34 5 6 1 2 3

1

542

16Christmas Medley

68

L.H.

73 bring out melody

77

84

90

1 2 3G

4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5A

6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3

1 2 3 1 2 3

1 2 3 4 1234 5 6 1234 5 6

17Christmas Medley

96

101 start a slow build to the high point

106 accent simile

111

116

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6

15

2 3 1422 3 42

18Christmas Medley

121E

126

over to the next measure

131

8va...........................................................................................................................(8va means play an octave higher)

molto rit.

136 (L.H.)over

you might want to try this sectionwithout the crossover notes at first

(L.H.) (L.H.)8va.............

141 8va................................... end 8va (L.H.)

let the pedal hold this note

F �

|1

54 3

2 5

1

32 4 3 5

keep the tempo laid back

2 3 1

............................

4

32 1

3

8va.....................

2

4

3 1

8va.....................

still trebleEC

2

3

13

52 1 3

B

B

(R.H.)

19Christmas Medley

145

149__________________

153

__________________________________________________________________

157

161

42 3 2 13

3

slow decresc.

14 4

53

E

decresc.

20Christmas Medley

165

169

173

177

181

3 4

5 4 13

L.H. Melody

small hand: roll this chord|

21Christmas Medley

185

190

195

200bird's eye holds ahead

206Finger substitute so you can hold the E through the pedal lift

25

1 2 3 1 2 3

small hand roll last chord(including the E)

22

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

arranged by Jon Schmidttraditional French Carol

copyright ©2002Jon was here

= 160�

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• The orchestrated version of this arrangement as well

as a free four hour collection of my music can be heardfor free at mp3.com/jonschmidt. By listening to thiscollection you can actually push me higher in the dailymp3 charts for the whole world to see! (This messagemay be copied for home or incidental use.)

• For a better first impression, start learning thissong at measure 33. (Also avoid body piercing and wildhair dos.)

1

6

11

1 2 3 4


1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

1 2 3 4

2

1 2 345 6 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

23Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

17

22

27

32F

38

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 1 25 6 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 1 2 35 6

3

1 2 3 4

52

5 6

1 2 3 4 1 2 35 6

41 3


43

48

53

58

63

G A1 2 3 4 1 2 35 6

1 2 3

1 2 3

cresc. 1 2 3 4


68

74

79

85

91

12 3 4

1

1 2 3 45 6

half ped

5 6

(lift pedal part way so the previous notes still ring a little)

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 34 5 6

1 2 3

52

1 1 2 1

4

2

3

35

5

3

1 4

1 2

3 4

2

2 1 2 12

1 2 3 4

31

5 6

4


97

103Don't worry, this obnoxious key signature only lasts 3 lines

108

113

118

1 2 3 4 5 6 decresc. 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6


123

128

133

138

143

______________________

5 3 4 2 3 4 531 1

5 4 3 51

52

1 32

2 1

52 1 5

5

2

5

1

451

cresc.

5

R.H.

3 1 1

1

1

________________________

3

4 5


148

153

158

163

168

51

1

3

1

half ped

3

1 1

3

3

F

4 5

5

1

41

1 12

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6

5

5 6

41 43 3

1

half ped

1 3

1

1

42

31

1 4 3 4 3 1 43


173

178

183

188

193 D

1 2 3 4

53

412 3

1

53

5 6

half ped

42

3 41 2

4

3 2

34

1

half ped

1

1half ped

4

ped simile

52

3

12

5

1

253

1

53

5

2 2

1

decresc.

F


199

206

212

218

224

Feel free to continue this scale run up to the next B flat within the same amount of time.(To hear an example of this, go to mp3.com/jonschmidt)

33 3

(B�) let bass note ring a bit with half pedaling

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 34

5 4 1

5 6 12 3 4

_____________________

5 6

12 3 4 5 6

31

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

straw- ber-

1 4

ry pear straw- ber-

1

straw- ber-ry

1

ap-ry pear ap-ple ple


229 Dsteady decrescendo to the end

234

239

244 keep F pressed down through pedal lift|

( ) - optional

12

4 5

2 4 5

14

24

1 2 3 4

let ring|

1 2 3 45 6 1 2 3 45 6 5 6

let ring|

1 2 3 4 1 2 345 6 1 2 3 456 5 6

__________________________

rit.

32

Star Carol

Star Carol

arranged by Jon Schmidtwritten by A. Burt

copyright ©2002very sensitively

= 65-75�

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• This lesser-known choral piece is my favorite

Christmas Carol of all. In my opinion, the harmoniesand chord progressions Alfred Burt originally used aretoo brilliant to change. Thus, the first and thirdverse remain true to Burt’s original score. Only thesecond verse and the ending have been altered.

• Performance options:1: Have a solo instrument double the melody on the firstverse, let the piano take a solo on the second verse,then let the solo instrument join back in playing thedescant on the last verse.2: If you have a low enough alto voice, you could playthe first 2 verses solo piano. Then, on the last verse,let your voice join in with a soft "ahh" or "ooo" on the

3: If you can sing high and soft you could do the 2ndoption singing the descant up an octave. (This is how

• Be careful not to rush…it will take the beauty rightout of the song.

descant part.

it is on the album.)

© Hollis Music Inc. Used by permission.


slight rit. a tempo

slight rit. a tempo

slight rit. a tempo

Keeping this tie pressed down through the pedal lift will help the dissonance to resolve

slight rit. simile

33Star Carol

F

E

Keep a finger on the ties so they survive the pedal liftsSmall note may be added by small hand-

( ) Small hand omit the parentheses notes and add small notes( )

A

34Star Carol

(See bottom for optional 3rd verse descant)

molto rit.

Optional 3rd verse descant part for solo instrument or voice (may be transposed up an octave if needed)

molto rit.

35

Süsser de Glocken

Süsser de Glocken

arranged by Jon Schmidttraditional German CarolGently flowing

copyright ©2002

= 240�

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• Having immigrant parents, I grew up with many of the

beautiful German Christmas carols. This is one of myfavorites.

• Performance option:The left hand may be played in the key of 3 flats ifdesired (it may not sound very good though).

• You might want to learn the hardest part of this song first: measures 73-79. (I would recommend learning thehard parts first with any song, actually.)

(sweet Afton)

1

5

etc.

8

1


2 3 4 5 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

36Süsser de Glocken

11

14

17

21

25


29

( ) L.H. option for small hand

33

37Bring out the melody

42

46

35 4


50-

54

58

62

66-

52

5 5 5

1 2

simile

2 1

5

4

1

5

45

5

52

5 5

simile


70

74

78

82

86

5

31

5

1 35

2

41 15

1

3 42 4

1 411 2

14

54

2 1 5

42 41 1 2

__________________________________________________________________

l.h.option

bring out left hand melody


90

94

98

102

106

slower and rubato

31 42 5 6

decresc.


111A

119

127

134 as at first

139

(play bass note with the top R.H. note)Small hand roll the last chord

molto rit.

42Stars Were Gleaming

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• This little known Polish carol is an overly well-kept

secret that I wanted to let people in on. If you’re from America, you might recognize the last section as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." If you are from Germany, it might remind you of, "Morgen Kommt derWeinachtsman (Tomorrow, Santa’s Coming)."

• I generally like to avoid basing my transcriptions on the double flag, but believe it or not, what you see below is the simplest possible way to transcribe this song.

• This song is a rhythm nightmare.• Instead of counting the dreaded "1 - ee - and - a

- 2 - ee - and - a… etc." just count to 4 over andover (it works a lot better). I have provided some rhythm#’s at the beginning of the song to help you get the idea.

• Here is a little rhythm "map key" of sorts that willenable those with a little determination to play notonly this song, but any song riddled with double flags.

Stars Were Gleaming(Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

copyright ©2002

= 60

Gently�

arranged by Jon Schmidt

= 1 beat ( also equals 1 beat) = 2 beats ( also equals 2 beats) = 3 beats ( . also equals 3 beats) = 4 beats ( also equals 4 beats)

� ��

�

= 6 beats ( . also equals 6 beats)

�_

traditional Polish Carol

Two of these: = 1 beat

1

4

7

l.h.

1 2 3 4

pedal ad-lib

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

15

1 5

12 3 4

1

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 12 3 4 12 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 12 3 4 1 2 3 4

12 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4


10

13

16

19

22

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4& 1 2 3 4 and so forth (see helpful hints)

slow cresc.1 1

3

slow decresc.


24

27

30

33

368va........................................

1 1

1 2 1

anticipated chord change|

slow cresc.

slow decresc.

2


398va....................................................

3

42

45

"Twinkle Little Star" sectiona little slower and rubato

48

51

3 4 straw- ber- ry 3 4

2

l.h.


54

57

59

62 as at first

64...........................................................................................................................8va

1 2

52

FG

11

> Play with thumb

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

r.h.rit.

a tempo

rit. slow down the arpeggio as you go up

47Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning

written by Jon Schmidtcopyright ©2002Paint the picture

= 188�

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• This tune is an original composition of mine. For

a long while, I couldn't think of a title for it. Iconsidered calling it "Santa's Workshop" or "The Train Song," but neither felt right. Then, one day I stumbled upon the title "Christmas Morning." As I played thepiece with that image in mind, I began to remember a scene from a previous Christmas. Like a movie sound track, the song fit perfectly as the memory unfolded. Iwas suddenly experiencing Christmas morning 1996 throughthe eyes of my two-year-old Annie and four-year-oldSpencer: the Christmas lights, a train running on atrack around the tree, a new doll house, and a remotecontrol car. That was a Christmas morning I'll neverforget!

• The rhythmic precision of a drummer is most helpfulwhen playing this song.

1

3

5

1


2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 &6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

48Christmas Morning

7

9

11

13

16

1 &

5

2

2

3 4 &5 6 7 8 1

5

2

2

3 4 5 6 7 8

1

5

2

2

3 &4 5 6 7 8

5

1 2

1

3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1F2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

49Christmas Morning

19

22

25

28

31

&1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

&1 2 &3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1

thumb plays C & D

2 &3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 &5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1

5

cresc.2

11

2

3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1

1remember, these numbers only work when they are counted with a beat

2 3 4

2 1

5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

50Christmas Morning

34

37

40

44

47advanced option: adapt these double flag notes into triple flag grace notes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 &3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4

5

1 &2 3 4 &1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1decresc.234 56 7 8 1 2 34567 8

1 2 3 4 &5 6 7 8( )small hand delete notes in parentheses1 2 3 4 & 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 &5 6 7 8

51Christmas Morning

50

53

56

59

62

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1

( )

small hand: omit parenthesis notes

2 &3 4 5

( )( )

6 7 8

1

( )2 3 4 5

( )

6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 decresc.

1 2 &3 4 5

cresc. 1 2 &3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 &5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 &7 8

52Christmas Morning

65

68

71

74

76

The word "shaboom" will give you the right feel on all syncopated 8th notes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 &6 7 &8 1

go easy on pedal

2

1 2 3 4 5 6

(G)

7 8

(F) (G)

1 2 3 4

yes, that's right

5 6 7 8

no pedal until further notice

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 &4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

pedal again

8sha-

53Christmas Morning

78

"Charlie Brown Christmas" rip off section (For best results, learn this part at a very slow but precise tempo)(used by permission *)

81

84

87

90

1

A

boom2 3 4 5 6 7

sha-8

boom1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

sha-8

1boom

2 3 4 5 6sha-

7boom

8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8sha-

1boom

2 3 4 5 6 7sha-8

boom1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

sha-1

boom2 3 4 5 6 7

decresc.

sha-8

boom

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5

"Linus and Lucy" by Vince Guaraldi© 1965 Claimant: David Guaraldi & Dia Guaraldi used by permission

6 7 8

54Christmas Morning

93

Big hold

96

99

102

Do like 50 more repeats of this part just to see what your Mom does

fade away to end

105

&1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

molto rit.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 a tempo

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 34 5 6 7 8 1 2 3

molto rit.4 5 6 7 8

hold pedal to the end

55

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

5

9

13

Slowly and softly; use dynamics and/or tempo to createa subtle rise and fall effect within each phrase.copyright ©2002


� = 60

written by Edmund Sears and Richard Willisarranged by Jon Schmidt

3 4 5 6

3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6

3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Original key version can be downloaded at www.jonschmidt.com)

56

17

21

25

29

33

(A)

no pedal lift


rit.

57

37

41

45

48

51

a tempo cresc.3 4 dim.

no pedal lift


rit.

58Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming

Lo, How a Rose Ere Bloomingarranged by Jon Schmidttraditional German Carol

copyright ©2002Freely

= 75�

Helpful Hints:• Don’t pay any attention to the time signature changes.

Just let your natural musical instincts tell you how itshould be played.

1

6

11

15 slower

on repeat: play R. H. an octave higher to end of first line

pedal ad-lib

rit.

59

Christmas Hymn

written by Jon Schmidtcopyright ©2002Simply; with expression

= 60�

Side Notes: Helpful Hints:• Here’s a little insider’s secret: This song was

actually a first year music theory assignment incollege. (I think it got an A minus.)

• Don’t pay any attention to that man behind thecurtain.

Christmas Hymn

1

3

5

pedal ad-lib

60Christmas Hymn

7 ,

9Phrasing simile

11

13F

15 ,( )

rit.

Documents

Jon Schmidt - Christmas Book