Dec. 7, 2025

Looking for a light moment in your rehearsal or a quick addition for your concert? Tap your best solo singer, and let them jive while everyone else accompanies with a smooth, slow, jazzy version of Jingle Bells played straight from chord charts from HMA National Board member Kathleen Wissinger. See additional note from Kath about the piece below, as well as an audio clip of her church choir playing and singing it during a rehearsal.

Click image for the PDF.
CLICK HERE to download audio clip

This was written for a Google Meet session with 7-8 absolute novice musicians playing an octave of bells, 1 note per person (plus the associated flat or sharp). The Cs and G don’t have accidentals.  If you use C5-C6, C5 follows the bottom of the chord list, and C6 plays the C at the top of the chord (but either is really fine!) You can double notes by using 2 or more octaves.  Included is a brief intro to reading the chords and how to hold certain notes as chords shift. Let the entire process be very organic and laid-back. Play some chords slightly before the singer for a real night-club feeling.  It might sound even better on chimes. Best wishes!! Kath