A Chetham’s Christmas

A film of festive music for all

Festive greetings from Chetham’s School of Music! As Christmas approaches, we wanted to do something to spread some joy, and what better way than through music? We feel extremely fortunate to have spaces where we can sing and play safely and we have produced this film, full of some of our Christmas favourites, as our gift to you. We hope it brings you joy and happiness.

With love from all at Chetham’s

P.S We know it might be tempting to sing along, but please don’t unless you have the space to do so safely!

Join in with us, wherever you are! (Grown ups – we recommend giving this a bit of thought in advance so you can be ready!)

There are lots of ways you can join in while you are enjoying the film.

• Download our quiz here. It’s about the film and you will find many of the answers by watching and listening (black and white print-friendly versions are below)
• Do some cool percussion during Samba de Natal! If you did one of our samba workshops, then you can play what you learned. Remember to listen out for your phrases!

I would like some Christmas cake!

Santa’s coming!  Hooray!

Elf on the shelf

Rudolph flying by

If you didn’t do one of our workshops and you would like some suggestions for some samba rhythms to play along, you can watch Sophie explaining some here.

If you would like just to join in with some simple percussion, then any rhythm which has 4 beats in a bar will do! Make it as funky as possible!

• Make a paper ballerina to remind you of the Valse des Fleurs 

Krokotak Snowflake Ballerina 

You can download a full transcript of the film here (including words for the carols)

If you would like to use subtitles, please use the Toggle Subtitles button at the bottom of the film

Finally, if you are printing the resources you can save the planet (and ink!) by using these black and white versions – thank you!

Transcript black and white

Quiz black and white

Answers black and white

We’d like to thank lots of people who helped make this film possible:

Ellie Slorach
All the students and staff of Chetham’s School of Music
Everyone at The Stoller Hall
Supporters of the 50th Anniversary Fund
The Zochonis Charitable Trust
The Michael Bishop Foundation
The Duchy of Lancaster
The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust
Mill Media
St Herbert’s RC Primary School
St Catherine’s RC Primary School
St James’ C of E Primary School 

Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra: 

Christmas Overture by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor arr. S. Baynes  

Chetham’s Saxophone Quartet: 

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson arr. N. White  

Tung Brass Quintet:

La Mourisque by Tielman Susato  

Chetham’s Brass Ensemble and Year 13 Choir:

Once in Royal David’s City arr. David Willcocks 

Chetham’s Percussionists and Lower School featuring guest primary schools:

Samba de Natal arr. P. Birkby  

Chetham’s String Orchestra:

White Christmas by Irving Berlin arr. M. Barrera  

Chetham’s Brass Ensemble and Year 13 choir: 

O Come, All Ye Faithful arr. David Willcocks 

Violetta:

Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius  

Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra: 

Valse des Fleurs from ‘The Nutcracker’ by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky arr. M. Shaw  

Chetham’s Brass Ensemble and Year 13 choir:

Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing arr. David Willcocks