O Holy Night (arr. Benjamin Tubb‑Hearne, 2022) opens with a serene, cup‑muted cornet ostinato and a beautiful soprano cornet melody, before building to a rich full‑band statement and a brief, powerful “brazen” section. There’s absolutely a place for cheese at Christmas — but sometimes it’s nice to be a little more traditional. Ending as quietly as it begins, this is a stunning, lyrical Christmas arrangement for brass band. Premiered by Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band.
$50.00
O Holy Night (arr. Benjamin Tubb‑Hearne, 2022) is a lush, expressive brass band arrangement of the classic Christmas carol. Written after working through every other version in the library, it was created in response to a simple request: a beautiful setting of this carol that doesn’t sound like a pop song with a cheesy brass band drum beat.
The piece opens with a gentle, ostinato‑like figure in cup‑muted cornets, creating a serene, glowing backdrop. Over this, the soprano cornet introduces the melody with quiet intimacy. The tune then passes seamlessly from flugel to baritone, each voice adding warmth and colour while the texture remains transparent and vocal in character.
A central interlude from the baritones and euphoniums provides a reflective heart to the arrangement before the melody returns in a rich, full‑band statement. A brief, brazen section (bar 49) from cornets and trombones fills the air with a bleak yet powerful moment, heightening the emotional arc before the music draws back. The work ends as quietly and beautifully as it began, with similar motifs from the cornets fading into silence.
Premiered in December 2022 by the Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band, this is a stunning Christmas arrangement for bands looking for something lyrical, atmospheric and genuinely festive without gimmicks.
