Staff Holiday Picks 2022

The holidays are just around the corner, so we’ve put together a list of our favorite holiday music to download now, handpicked by Harp Column staff. You can check out previous lists here, too!

(Titles marked with an *asterisk are playable on lever harp. All pieces listed are for solo harp unless otherwise noted.)

Kim’s picks

Harp Column founder Kimberly Rowe is web editor at Harp Column, Harp Column Music, and Harp Column Academy. She is also co-founder of the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar and runs Trust Tree Designs with HC Magazine editor, Alison Reese. 

*English and German Carols Set
by Anne Sullivan

For my Holiday Staff Picks this year I revisited some oldie-but-goodie collections that you definitely should not overlook! Anne Sullivan’s English and German Carols set was one of the first products available here at Harp Column Music, and it’s still one of my seasonal favorites. The set includes two separate PDFs of three carols each, which can also be purchased separately. Three English Carols includes some very familiar melodies (“Greensleeves,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I Saw Three Ships”), while Three German Carols includes a few less common tunes that you’ll enjoy getting to know (“Kling Glocken,” “Susani, Susani,” and “In Dulci Jubilo”). Sullivan’s accessible but interesting renditions make this collection a great holiday repertoire staple for students and professionals alike.

*Twelve Jazzy Christmas Songs
by Pedal Sliders

If you think the harp world doesn’t need one more arrangement of “Coventry Carol” or “Silent Night,” then you obviously haven’t discovered Twelve Jazzy Christmas Songs by the Pedal Sliders (a.k.a Amanda Whiting and Tony Robinson). It’s no secret here at Harp Column Music that I’m a big fan of this arranging duo, and these pieces were also among the first to be added to the Harp Column Music catalog. In addition to some traditional carols reinvented in a jazzy style that falls right into a harpist’s hands, you’ll also find catchy originals like “Little Elfy,” “Christmas Shopping,” and “The Elf Factory.” These tunes have the same feel and structure as more familiar pop-jazz titles, but your audience won’t know the difference. The entire collection will fill a holiday music set and then some, but you can also purchase each piece individually. Take my word for it—you won’t be disappointed!

*A Christmas Serenade
by Rhett Barnwell

Harp Column Academy sacred music and lever harp specialist Rhett Barnwell also happens to be a top-notch arranger, as evidenced by this best-selling collection of traditional carols. A Christmas Serenade includes six familiar melodies (“I Wonder as I Wander,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Lo, How a Rose,” and more) perfectly suited for holiday worship services and beyond. Subtitled “for the soul,” these pieces are indeed harp comfort food. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t need something comforting to play on Christmas Eve when cold fingers and late hours call for a sure bet. —You’re welcome, signed Harp Column! 

Amy’s picks

Amy Nam is an award winning composer and professional harpist based in Minneapolis, MN. As managing editor at Harp Column Music, she helps curate and organize our catalog!

*Joy to the World
arr. Rhett Barnwell

If you’re looking for holiday music with a contemplative vibe, look no further than Rhett Barnwell’s expressive and elegant arrangement of “Joy to the World.” With its flowing arpeggios and simple melodic line, this fresh take on a well-loved tune can be learned with ease.

*First Snow
by Nadia Birkenstock

The modal melodies found in this original piece by Nadia Birkenstock evoke the feelings of both solemn ancient rituals and timeless celebration. Be sure to take a listen to Birkenstock’s music video of the piece, recorded in a snowy forest!

Liana’s picks

Liana Alpino manages our social media, frequently blogs for us, and also helps us keep our Harp Column Music catalog up to date. Based in Nashville, TN, she maintains an active performing schedule and passionately composes and arranges for harp in her spare time.

*Jolly Old Pachelbel
by Kim Robertson

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of mashups. You can’t go wrong with this work by Kim Robertson that intertwines the traditional carol “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” with Pachelbel’s classic Canon in D. I already know that this will be a holiday gig staple and that audiences will love it! What’s even better? Robertson has both an advanced beginner and intermediate version available. 

Carol of the Bells
arr. Grace Bauson

“Wow” is all I can begin to say about this arrangement by the incredible Grace Bauson. It is stunning and an absolute must if you are putting together a holiday recital. I would consider it a fantasy on Mykola Leontovych’s famous “Carol of the Bells” melody as Bauson includes a few interludes and rhythmic interplay between 3/4 and 6/8. It’s challenging, but at the same time, not as difficult as it sounds! 

*The Holly and the Ivy
arr. Corkey Christman

In my opinion, “The Holly and the Ivy” is one of the most underrated Christmas carols. It has such a fun, joyous melody and I fell in love with the tune a few Christmases back. Corkey Christman’s arrangement has both exciting and reflective moments. The harmonies are wonderful and Corkey uses interesting jumps and rhythms to keep the carol fresh! 

Danielle’s picks

Harp Column customer service representative Danielle Kuntz performs and teaches in Ann Arbor, MI. An advocate for new music, Danielle offers consultations to composers and even has her own harp writing course. 

Let There Be Peace On Earth
arr. Debbie Vinick

For the holiday harpist, this arrangement of “Let There Be Peace On Earth” should be a staple of your gig book. The familiar tune is masterfully arranged with lush harmonies that gradually increase in chromaticism through each iteration of the piece. Don’t be nervous though, the pedal changes are clearly notated! The ending arpeggios make this a great closer for your holiday set. Additionally, this arrangement is sight-readable for professionals and easy to learn for intermediate students.

*Three Holiday Favorites
Alyssa Reit

Calling all lever harpists! If you are looking to expand your holiday repertoire, Alyssa Reit’s Three Holiday Favorites Volume 1 and Volume 2 are a must. Each collection includes three familiar tunes (including “Deck the Halls”, “Carol of the Bells”, “What Child is This”, and more) arranged for the lever harp. These arrangements feel very comfortable for the hands, and yet incorporate plenty of variety in the accompaniment. These pieces are written for advanced beginners/early intermediate and are also perfect for professional use.

*The First Snow Drops (for three harps)
Lauren Scott

Lauren Scott’s music is always delightful and this lovely original composition is perfect for holiday-themed harp ensemble concerts. This piece is written for three lever harps with pre-set lever changes from the start. No lever changes needed during the piece. Each part only requires one hand at a time and is perfect for beginner students. Highly recommend!

Kristina’s picks

Kristina Finch is host of the Harp Column podcast, of which we currently have 87 episodes! She is principal harpist of both the Miami Symphony Orchestra and Palm Beach Symphony, is an adjunct professor of harp at The University of Southern Mississippi, and is the creator of the One Pedal Off Digital Harp Conference.

*The First Frost
Hannah Haynes

This is a sparkly little piece in minor that is a great original contribution to a holiday gig book! This piece is very playable, with a repeated pattern in the left hand for much of the piece accompanying a sweet melody. With no lever or pedal changes in this piece, it is all the more accessible to the less experienced player, and is a great teaching piece on top of that! A lovely addition to an evening holiday service, quiet dinner gig, or as a holiday meditation of your own, this piece has the potential for a life far outside of the holiday season.

Snow Daze (mixed ensemble)
Cindy Horstman 

I’m generally a big fan of Cindy’s compositions and this piece is no exception. It has a very “Sleigh Ride” feel to it with each harpist playing an important role in creating an overall exciting piece for three harps. Better yet, the piece is for modular ensemble, allowing for both pedal and lever harps. Parts 2 and 3 can only be played on pedal harp, but bring your lever playing friends along for Harp 1! This piece would be great for ensembles of any level; the parts are well balanced, not too challenging, and straight forward to put together. Pieces like this make me wish I lived somewhere with more harpists!

*Noël Collection
Claire Swanson

This is my FAVORITE collection of holiday tunes on HCM. No. Seriously. I love this collection. These tricky, but well-worth-the-effort arrangements are joyful to play, sensitive and authentic to their traditional settings, and keep the player constantly on their toes. I can recall sight reading the arrangement of “In the Bleak Midwinter” and thinking to myself that it didn’t look so bad… that is until I reached the final verse, a stunning polyrhythm and harmonics section that is so satisfy to play once you get the hang of it! I feel like each of these arrangements just screams harp. They each utilize all of the elements of our instrument that make us unique—our ability to play fast running arpeggios with a singing thumb, sweeping glissandos, harmonics, polyrhythms and large rolled chords—and I say “YES” to all of it!

Alison’s picks

Alison Reese is editor of Harp Column magazine. She also plays frequently with the Grand Rapids symphony and teaches students of all ages. She is also a self proclaimed hot yoga lover and grammar geek!

I am always on the hunt for the most-requested carol of the Christmas season—”Silent Night.” Who doesn’t want to hear this beautifully simple Franz Gruber song wafting from the harp’s strings? So I was thrilled to find not one but three worthy arrangements to add to my gig book this year.

*Silent Night/Prelude from Suite No. 1 
Megan Reeve

Megan Reeve borrowed from J.S. Bach’s beloved “Prelude” from Suite No. 1 for Cello (BWV1007) to provide the canvas for her new “Silent Night” arrangement. She opens with Bach’s familiar cello line, transposed from its original key of G major to F major, only requiring a few simple lever or pedal changes for the harp to modulate to the key of C major. When the open chords of “Silent Night” emerge in the right hand, it makes for a pleasant surprise for the listener, and an enjoyable opportunity for the harpist to play two beautiful melodies at the same time. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Silent Night
arr. François Couture

For a completely different “Silent Night” experience, I recommend checking out François Couture’s arrangement of Franz Gruber’s original. While Couture leaves the melody untouched, he has some fun with the harmony, writing a bass line that weaves through some jazzy chords that would have blown ol’ Franz’s mind. I appreciate that Couture includes the chord symbols  for those of us who are harmonically challenged. There is no risk of getting bored with this arrangement, as Couture adds a third line of harmonics to keep you busy in the second verse. This colorful arrangement will provide the perfect ending to a late-night Christmas set.

Silent Night
arr. Harriet Adie

One of the Christmas Eve services I play every year ends with everyone in attendance lighting candles while I play a few variations on “Silent Night.” “The harpier the better,” the music director says of my rendition. This year, I need look no further than Harriet Adie’s solo arrangement of “Silent Night.” Adie has the right hand do the heavy lifting in her four-verse publication. She works her way from simple eighth notes to shimmery 32nd notes before coming back down to a peaceful ending of harmonic eighth notes. If you like this arranging style, this solo is also included in Adie’s Christmastide Volume One collection, where it is one of eight beautiful arrangements that show off the harp’s beauty in carols.

Shop all holiday music!