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Alfred Burt

Born: 1920. Died: 1954. Lived in: United States

Alfred Burt (born April 22, 1920) was an American jazz musician who composed fifteen now famous Christmas carols between 1942 and 1954. Burt studied music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and served as an officer in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, he traveled to California, developing a career as trumpeter and arranger, and eventually joined the Alvino Rey Orchestra. His most famous carol, "Caroling Caroling", is often heard during the Christmas season, and many others have been recorded by dozens of artists. John Williams wrote two medleys of his works for the Boston Pops Orchestra. Burt wrote his carols for "publication" on the back of his Christmas cards each year. They are among the few modern carols to address serious spiritual themes. A heavy smoker, he died of lung cancer in 1954 at the age of 33. In 2003 Burt's niece, the composer Abbie Betinis, revived the traditional of sending Christmas cards with an original carol each holiday season.

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Arrangements | Recordings

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-7 of 7 items.


Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols SATB : SATB : Sheet Music Collection

Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols SATB

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

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Voicing: SATB | 6897b | Sheet Music Collection | $6.95 | A Cappella


Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols TTBB : TTBB : Sheet Music Collection

Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols TTBB

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

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Voicing: TTBB | 6898b | Sheet Music Collection | $6.95 | A Cappella


Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols SSA : SSA : Sheet Music Collection : 747510009313

Alfred Burt : Christmas Carols SSA

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

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Voicing: SSA | 6899b | Sheet Music Collection | $7.45 | A Cappella


Alfred Burt : The Alfred Burt Christmas Carols Songbook : Solo : Songbook : 073999346466 : 0634090135 : 00311184

Alfred Burt : The Alfred Burt Christmas Carols Songbook

15 carols that started as a family Christmas card tradition and ended up as part of the standard Christmas carol repertoire. This collection also features a bio on Burt. Voice and piano.

Songlist: Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintery Wind, All On a Christmas Morning, Carol of the Mother, Christ in a Starnger's Guise, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Jesu Parvule, Nigh Bethlehem, O Hearken Ye, Some Children See Him, The Star Carol, This Is Christmas, We'll Dress the House, What Are The Signs?

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Voicing: Solo | 9208b | Songbook | $16.95 | PVG


Alfred Burt : This Is Christmas : SATB : Songbook : 747510054528 : 35023106

Alfred Burt : This Is Christmas

The complete 15 carols as recorded by the Jimmy Joyce Singers.

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Voicing: SATB | 40428b | Songbook | $6.50


Alfred Burt and Jimmy Joyce Singers : This Is Christmas Songbook : SSAATTBB : Songbook : 747510009122 : 35023107

Alfred Burt and Jimmy Joyce Singers : This Is Christmas Songbook

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Songlist: This Is Christmas, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, Sleep, Baby Mine, All On A Christmas Morning, Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, We'll Dress The House, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Nigh Bethlehem, What Are The Signs, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye

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Voicing: SSAATTBB | 6896b | Songbook | $7.95 | A Cappella | Companion CD Available


Hawley Ades : The Alfred Burt Carols for Children : Solo : Songbook : 747510015260 : 35000400

Hawley Ades : The Alfred Burt Carols for Children

Songlist: Ah Bleak & Chill The Wintry Wind, All On A Christmas Morning (Oh, Who Are These That Throng The Way), Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, Come Dear Children, O Hearken Ye, Some Children See Him, We'll Dress The House

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Voicing: Solo | 40465b | Songbook | $5.95 | Voice and Piano


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-8 of 8 items.


Caroling, Caroling : SATB : Michele Weir : Songbook : 35002929 : 747510185109

Michele Weir : Caroling, Caroling

Jazz educator, Michele Weir, has thoughtfully created a fresh new treatment of the timeless Alfred Burt classic, Caroling, Caroling. The 5/4 meter creates a rhythmic and energetic feel. Michele's use of harmonic twists adds to the thrill of this unaccompanied work. A must for any choir that sings a cappella.

Arranger: Michele Weir

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.50 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35002929


Caroling, Caroling : 2-Part : Hawley Ades : Sheet Music : 35002922 : 747510020073

Hawley Ades : Caroling, Caroling

Arranger: Hawley Ades

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Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.50 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35002922


Caroling, Caroling : SATB : Greg Gilpin : Sheet Music : 35002919 : 747510049531

Greg Gilpin : Caroling, Caroling

A favorite from the Alfred Burt carols, Caroling, Caroling is presented here with a fresh, new perspective from Greg Gilpin. The melody sings back and forth between men's and women's voices over a bright and joyful, galloping accompaniment. The constant presence of the caroling, caroling, caroling, caroling... motif in one voice part or another adds a shimmer of excitement to the festivities of singing through the snow. As usual, Gilpin adds a few harmonic and melodic surprises that are sure to please. This arrangement is pure fun!

Arranger: Greg Gilpin

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.50 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35002919
Other Voicings: 3-Part Mixed


Come, Dear Children : 2-Part : Greg Gilpin : Sheet Music : 35004295 : 884088540685

Greg Gilpin : Come, Dear Children

Bright and lilting, this two-part partner-song from the Alfred Burt Carols is a great holiday concert or festival opener. Arranged by Greg Gilpin for upper-elementary or middle school choirs, Come, Dear Children sets the tone for a Christmas season filled with joy.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin

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Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.65 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35004295


Some Children See Him : SATB : Joseph Martin : Sheet Music : 35020834 : 747510186939

Joseph Martin : Some Children See Him

One of the great carols of our last century is carefully arranged by Joseph Martin and brilliantly orchestrated by Brant Adams. A true classic in every sense of the word, this carol has an important message for all of us in these troubled times. Includes an optional part for children or solo.

Arranger: Joseph Martin

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.65 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35020834


Some Children See Him : SATB : Yumiko Matsuoka : Sheet Music : VJ2238

Yumiko Matsuoka : Some Children See Him

The beautiful carol by Alfred Burt and Whila Hutson opens with a tenor solo, soon joined by a warm background chorus. Serene yet gently moving forward with subtle meter and key changes. Little moments for every part to shine. Can be a wonderful counterpoint to the more up-tempo Christmas songs.

Arranger: Yumiko Matsuoka

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $3.95 | A Cappella |
VJ2238


The Alfred Burt Carols for Children : Unison : Hawley Ades : Sheet Music : 35000399 : 747510002673

Hawley Ades : The Alfred Burt Carols for Children

Arranger: Hawley Ades

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Voicing: Unison | Sheet Music | $2.95 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35000399


The Many Joys of Christmas (Set One) : SATB : Ed Lojeski : Sheet Music : 08752566 : 884088544621

Ed Lojeski : The Many Joys of Christmas (Set One)

You'll thrill in the joyful sounds of Christmas with this colorful 6-minute medley of the beloved Alfred Burt Carols. Whether performed with piano alone or with the sparkling orchestration, you'll create a holiday celebration to warm the heart and delight the senses! Songs include: We'll Dress the House, The Star Carol, This Is Christmas (Bright, Bright the Holly Berries). Available separately: SATB, SAB, 2-Part, ChoirTrax CD, Orchestra score and parts. Duration: ca. 6:15.

Arranger: Ed Lojeski

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.95 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08752566 | Digital Version Available| Choirtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part, SAB

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