Cowboy Christmas

The tenth piece in the concert, entitled Cowboy Christmas,

was arranged by Jeff Simmons (see below) in 2009.

This arrangement is a clever and fun “mash-up” of Christmas songs and themes associated with “cowboy music”. It starts with a mixture of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and music very reminiscent of Aaron Copland’s music for the ballet “Billy the Kid”. There are swiftly changing meters and several whipcracks.

Next comes a combination of “O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis)” and themes from “The Magnificent Seven”, with a little “Jingle Bells” mixed in for good measure.

A slow down to a plodding 6/8 meter strongly suggests riding on horseback, complete with horsehoof sounds from the percussion section while it underlies “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. A horse-whinny from a trumpet and a whipcrack interrupt for a moment and a solo flute floats a brief quote from “We Three Kings” over the top before

“Go Tell…” continues.

The snare drum abruptly increases the speed, leading to “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (with a little “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” suggested). “Angels We Have Heard…” returns (so does “Billy the Kid”). There’s “Magnificent Seven” for a moment. Then it’s back to “Angels” and “O Come”. The piece ends with another horse whinny and whipcrack.

Jeff Simmons (b. 1966) is an American composer, arranger, educator and saxophonist. An Atlanta native, Jeff earned his bachelor's in music at the University of Georgia and his master's in music at the University of South Carolina. Jeff has performed with Ray Charles, Mary Wilson, The Temptations, Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Carolina Philharmonic and The North Carolina Symphony.

Jeff writes special music arrangements for music groups throughout the United States and has been staff arranger for UNC Marching Tar Heels and the NC State Marching Wolfpack. He is also director of music at Pawleys Mission Abbey in Pawleys Island, S.C.

The music for Cowboy Christmas was purchased for the band by Jane and Kendall Warren.