When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney (Solo Tuba & Concert/Wind Band) - DIGITAL
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A festive and quirky showpiece for Solo Tuba and Concert Band, When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney takes the well-loved Christmas tune and reimagines it in the style of an old-fashioned air varié, infused with plenty of modern character, humour and seasonal flair.
The piece opens with a theatrical introduction and cadenza, immediately putting the soloist centre stage before presenting the familiar theme.
Variation 1 – Allegro Giocoso transforms the tune into a spirited 2/4 circus march, full of bounce, wit and virtuosity.
Variation 2 – Tempo di Valse brings a joyful Viennese-style waltz: elegant, light-hearted and full of movement. A brief moment of darkness closes the variation and leads into Variation 3 – Andante Lagrimoso, a lyrical and reflective transformation. Here, the rhythmic shape of the original melody remains recognisable while the harmony and melodic line are subtly altered to introduce an unexpected touch of melancholy.
The opening material then returns before launching into Variation 4 – Allegro Vivo — a high-energy whirlwind that pushes soloist and ensemble towards a thunderous and satisfying finale.
Colourful scoring throughout the concert band makes full use of the contrasting characters of the woodwind, saxophone and brass sections, while keeping the soloist at the heart of the instrumentation.
Instrumentation
- Solo Tuba
Woodwind
- Piccolo
- Flute 1
- Flute 2
- Oboe
- Bassoon 1
- Bassoon 2
- Clarinet in Bb 1
- Clarinet in Bb 2
- Bass Clarinet in Bb
- Alto Saxophone 1
- Alto Saxophone 2
- Tenor Saxophone
- Baritone Saxophone
Brass
- Trumpet in Bb 1
- Trumpet in Bb 2
- Trumpet in Bb 3
- Horn in F 1
- Horn in F 2
- Trombone 1
- Trombone 2
- Bass Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
Percussion
There are FOUR percussion parts in this arrangement, If you have fewer players available, please prioritise as follows
One player - Drum Kit
Two players - Drum Kit, Timpani
Three players - Drum Kit, Timpani and Percussion Priority - disregard Percussion 1 & 2
Four players - Drum Kit, Timpani, Percussion 1, Percussion 2 - disregard Percussion Priority
The Percussion (Priority) part combines essential material from Percussion 1 and 2 to ensure all key effects and hits are covered when working with a reduced section.
Additional Optional Parts Included
The following additional parts are supplied but are not required for performance or on the score:
- Clarinet in Eb
- Clarinet in Bb 3
- Soprano Saxophone
- String Bass
This allows the arrangement to accommodate larger or differently balanced concert bands without making those instruments essential to the scoring.
Performance Notes
The printed metronome markings are suggestions. Depending on the ability of the soloist and ensemble, slightly slower or faster tempi can work equally well.
Optional Cuts
Two optional cuts are provided to reduce the overall duration of the piece.
Opening Cadenza
The opening cadenza may be omitted. When taking this cut, the band should play bar 11 in full, including all four beats, and then proceed directly to Letter A.
The soloist should play the written Bb on the final beat of bar 11, treating this note as a single-beat anacrusis into the theme at Letter A.
The music should continue directly into the 12/8 at A, with no pause or break.
Cut from Bar 167 to Letter K
The optional cut marked from bar 167 to Letter K may also be taken.
When using this cut, the band should play only the first quaver of bar 167, then continue immediately at Letter K. That first quaver should effectively become the opening beat of the music at K, allowing the transition to remain continuous and seamless.
The Drum Set part should proceed directly to Letter K, using the written material there to bridge the cut and maintain momentum into the new section.
Copyright © 1953 SONGS OF PEER LTD.
Copyright Renewed
This arrangement © 2025 SONGS OF PEER LTD.
All Rights Administered by UNIVERSAL MUSIC CORP.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard Europe Ltd.
© This arrangement by Tommy Tynan, published by Tynan Tuba
