Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Percy Aldridge Grainger

Percy Aldridge Grainger (Completed and scored by Edwin Franko Goldman)


General Info

Year: 1911 / 1965
Duration: c. 4:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: E.C. Schirmer
Cost: Score and Parts - $40.65   |   Score Only - Unknown


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba


Errata

In Score:

  • Tuba, m.10: Add a hairpin diminuendo starting on beat 1 lasting throughout entire measure


In Parts:

  • Euphonium B.C., m.32: Tempo marking "very slow" should be on beat 3


Program Notes

Having originally suggested to Percy Grainger that he arrange this carol for band, Mr. Goldman [Richard Franko] undertook the completion and scoring after Mr. Grainger's death in 1961. It was first performed at the State College of Iowa in the spring of 1963 under Richard Franko Goldman's direction.

Here is the final verse of the carol:

God bless your house, your children, too,

Your cattle and your store;
The Lord increase you day by day

And send you more and more.

- Program note from score


The tune was noted by Miss Lucy E. Brodwood at Lyne, near Horsham (Sussex), in 1880 and 1881 from the singing of Christmas Mummers called Tipteers or Tipteerers during their play of Saint George, the Turk, and the seven champions of Christendom.

- Program note by Percy Aldridge Grainger


Media


State Ratings

  • Texas: III. Complete
  • Virginia: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Penn State University (University Park) Symphonic Band (Robert Hickey, conductor) - 6 December 2023
  • West Valley High School (Yakima, Wash.) Wind Ensemble (Kirk Knight, conductor) - 5 January 2023
  • Hillcrest Wind Ensemble (San Diego, Calif.) (Christian Tordahl, conductor) - 17 December 2022
  • Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Richard Edwards, conductor) - 31 October 2021
  • Washington State University (Pullman) Symphonic Band (Troy Bennefield, conductor) – 6 February 2020
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam R. Williamson, conductor) – 15 December 2019
  • Keene (N.H.) State College Concert Band (John T. Hart Jr., conductor) - 21 November 2019
  • Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Shaun R. Popp, conductor) – 5 December 2018
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) Symphonic Band (John M. Watkins, Jr., conductor) – 29 November 2018
  • State University of New York, Fredonia, Wind Ensemble (Susan Evans, conductor) - 15 November 2018
  • Vienna (VA) Community Band (Cornelius Young, conductor) - 10 December 2017
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Band (Polly K. Middleton, conductor) – 30 November 2017
  • Cuesta Wind Ensemble (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 11 December 2016 
  • Lone Star Symphonic Band (Katy, Texas) (Bob Bryant, conductor) – 13 December 2015
  • Pleasanton Community Concert Band (H. Robert Williams, conductor) - 30 November 2014
  • Cuesta Wind Ensemble (Jennifer Martin, conductor) - 12 December 2012
  • Sonoma State University Ensemble (Dr. Andy Collingsworth) - 10 December 2010
  • Sul Ross State University Wind Ensemble (Christopher Dobbins, conductor) - December 2012
  • Brookville High School Symphonic Band (Matthew Farley, conductor) - 18 December 2012
  • San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (Chungsam Doh, conductor) - 13 December 2008
  • San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Wind Orchestra (Randy Brion, conductor) - 5 December 2004


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Grainger, Percy Aldridge, Goldman, Richard Franko. (1965). The Sussex mummers' Christmas carol [score]. Galaxy Music: New York.
  • Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2002. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Volume 4. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 388-391.