"Adeste Fideles" (O Come All Ye Faithful) was introduced to the world circa 1743 and to date, endures as one of our most cherished Christmas carols. This powerful setting for concert band encompasses the majesty and repose of the original long-standing seasonal masterpiece and promises a gratifying listening experience. The work begins quite intrepidly and quickly settles into a soothing chorale played by the woodwinds. After a brief moment of mystery, the music takes on a brighter fast tempo and continues to a grand climax.

Performance suggestions

The introduction should be played crisply with a "bounce" style. In contrast, the section at measure 11 is smooth and flowing. Please stress the importance of great tone quality and air flow to achieve a rich, resonant sound. Measure 35 to the end is very grand in nature. Dynamics should be strictly adhered to, and care must be taken to not "overplay." The percussion parts contribute greatly to the character of the performance and should be tastefully played at all times.