Song of Christmas, The (Robert Redhead)

The Song of Christmas is a through setting of 3 popular Christmas carols arranged in an attractive style. The 3 carols featured are Angels from the Realms of Glory, The First Nowell and Good King Wenceslas.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 3:25

Instrumentation
Flute 1/2
Oboe
B-flat Clarinet 1
B-flat Clarinet 2
B-flat Clarinet 3
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

B-flat Trumpet 1/2
F Horn 1/2
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

Percussion 1 (timpani, glockenspiel)
Percussion 2 (drum set)

Program Notes
Robert Redhead (b. 1940) spent his early days in Manchester. He married Gwenyth in 1965 when he was already serving as an officer in the Salvation Army. They pastored a congregation in the east End of London, before they were appointed to the Salvation Army’s Officer Training College where Robert, among other responsibilities, directed the music programme. Following that was an appointment to the International Music Editorial Department, and also in 1971 he joined the bass section of the International Staff Band. In 1976 Robert and Gwenyth moved to Canada to become Director of the Salvation Army’s Music Department and Bandmaster of the Canadian Staff Band. With that band he toured many countries of the world. Following that they were appointed Corps Officers at the Southmount Corps in Vancouver B.C. and in 1990 returned to London where he became Bandmaster of the International Staff Band.

During his time at the Music Editorial Department and as Director of the Music Department in Canada Robert got the chance to develop his composition and editorial skills, which resulted in many compositions being published and which are still very popular today. The Redhead’s were also very busy developing the further use of music and drama for evangelistic purposes and with Gwenyth wrote and produced musicals as a result In the mid ‘90’s the Redheads moved back to Canada and after a period there they moved to an appointment in New Zealand. They retired from active service in 2005. They continue to travel the world encouraging and facilitating creative and innovative styles of worship.

The Song of Christmas is a through setting of 3 popular Christmas carols arranged in an attractive style. The 3 carols featured are Angels from the Realms of Glory, The First Nowell and Good King Wenceslas.