Deck the hall

When a choir brings out "Deck the Hall" for a Christmas concert, the congregation usually expects the standard verses they have known since childhood. This 1987 arrangement by Onwuka Ugo takes that familiar Welsh carol and gives it a bright, contrapuntal energy that keeps both the singers and the listeners on their toes. Instead of the usual "Don we now our gay apparel," the text invites us to "Fill the mead cup, raise the wassail" and "Sing the ancient Christmas carol," grounding the piece in a festive, communal celebration.

What makes this score so much fun to rehearse is how the melody bounces between the sections. The tenors and basses confidently announce the opening lines and the start of new verses, while the sopranos and altos answer with cascading, joyful "fa-la-la"s. It is not just a simple hymn where everyone sings the same rhythm; the voices weave in and out of each other, creating a lively conversation across the choir loft.

By the time the choir reaches the final page, the "fa-la-la" refrains have built into a grand, extended flourish. It is an excellent choice for a parish carol service or a holiday concert, offering a fresh, engaging take on a seasonal favorite that lets every voice part shine.