Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

Pops 2025 Christmas Album

A Message From Pops

For 2025, I wanted to send a Christmas greeting with a long-lasting shelf life. So, I produced an album of popular Christmas songs using the computer application MuseScore.

Although far from the recorded “live” sound to which our ears are accustomed, the MuseScore playback has steadily improved from the original, which used to sound quite a bit like a poorly recorded harmonica band.

I hope you enjoy my arrangements. If nothing else, they are unique to the ears of the Manna family.

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Joy To The World

All orchestral instruments from the piccolo to tympani arrived at the studio for this tune. That’s appropriate because it is the album’s opening song.

White Christmas

The unofficial “official” pop Christmas song. It was first performed in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn, and won the Academy Award for best song.

Happy Holidays

The addition of a “Glenn Miller” saxophone section with the melody played by the clarinet creates a nice swing feel to the fluid rhythm line of this song.

March Of The Toy Soldiers

The undeniable “tug boat” sound of the bass clarinet makes a strong appearance in this song, and it helps usher in two more band standards: the flute and trumpet.

Have A Holly … Christmas

Influenced by the sound track of the well known Christmas cartoon, this song’s arrangement is designed to emphasize the tunes jolly, upbeat melody.

Christmas Waltz

There are more than 25 ways to articulate the bowing of a violin and many other ways to create sound without a bow. Pizzicato is one of the more familiar techniques.

Silent Night

Chimes from a neighborhood church steeple introduce this traditional international classic, offered here with a few not so traditional harmonies.

Let It Snow

It’s time for an evening out at the local MuseScore Tavern featuring the classic five piece combo of piano, bass, drums, guitar and tenor sax. Oh, the good ole’ days!

The Christmas Song

The inclusion of a vibraphone to this symphonic arrangement automatically brings a modern feeling to this arrangement of a long-time favorite.

It’s Begin … Christmas

It’s trumpet time with some assistance from the tuba and trombones. Sounds quite similar to the one-time Sunday afternoon band concerts in a park.

When You …. Upon A Star

This is not a traditional Christmas song. But stars have always played a big part in the Christmas celebration and this tune is a very nice “star” song.

Jingle Bells

Time to play with all of the toy instruments received as Christmas presents over the years. Listen for good ole’ Red Nose, who gets his licks in at the end.

Toyland

A favorite from the operetta “Babes In Toyland.” Toyland features the “bad boy of the orchestra.” – the oboe. What a distinctive nasal timbre it produces.

Have Yourself … Christmas

Say hello to the harp. A string section accompanied by a harp just sounds good together. And the harp also sounds quite nice when accompanied by a flute.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

There is no mistaking the haunting sounds of a smoothly flowing melody played by a French Horn, an instrument capable of many beautiful timbral sounds.

Sleigh Ride

A MuseScore pops orchestra rendition of the famous Leroy Anderson arrangement. This is one of the most played Christmas songs in recording history. Listen closely for the surprise ending.

White Christmas Reprise

The men and women of the MuseScore Choir all join in for the final selection of the 2025 Christmas album. They send their best wishes to each and every one of you for a very Merry Christmas.