Various :: The Christmas Flutist

The Christmas Flutist is a collection of 20 Songs and Carols arranged for solo flute by Judy Nishimura. The perfect companion for a flutist looking for music to play at a church service, a solo gig, or just to enjoy at home. Additionally, each arrangement has retained the key signature most commonly associated with the tune, thus they can easily be used as a prelude or introduction to the same titles used during a church service.

Notes from the arranger: 'I've arranged a lot of Christmas music in my day - for flute and piano, flute duet, flute quartet, and flute choir, but never for flute alone. I never thought there would be a need for unaccompanied pieces until one Christmas I had a request to play a solo as a prelude to the first anthem of a church service. That arrangement, 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, turned out well enough to inspire me to write this collection of solos for flute alone.

Because it's difficult to sustain interest with a single unaccompanied wind instrument, I've kept the length of these pieces down to two minutes or less. To make it easy to transition from the flute piece to the same hymn used, say, as an processional anthem, I've written the arrangements in the keys most commonly used by the hymns on which they're based. For instance, 'Joy to the World' is usually found in the key of D major, so my arrangement was written in that key. This consistency promotes the use of these solos as a prelude or introduction to the same titles used during a church service. Only 'On Christmas Night, All Christians Sing' has a key change.

Besides church use, these pieces can be played almost anywhere. Have students play them during lessons in December. Carry this book with your flute to Christmas parties in case the host asks you to perform for the guests. Never again will the lack of an accompanist hold you back!

Tempos can be adjusted to suit the player's abilities. If you're a good improviser, feel free to add your own special touches or flourishes to these arrangements. The ornaments I've added can be changed or enhanced as well. Revel in your spotlight and don't be shy!'

- Judy Nishimura

Contents

• Angels We Have Heard on High
• Away in a Manger (Kirkpatrick)
• Dona Nobis Pacem
• Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
• He Is Born
• In the Bleak Midwinter
• Joy to the World!
• Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
• Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
• Long Ago, Prophets Knew
• O Come, All Ya Faithful
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Of the Father's Love Begotten
• O Holy Night
• O Little Town of Bethlehem
• On Christmas Night, All Christians Sing
• Silent Night
• Still, Still, Still
• 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
• What Child Is This