Rejoice and be merry

When the Christmas season arrives, choirs look for pieces that capture the sheer, uncontained joy of the Nativity. "Rejoice and be merry" does exactly that. Set to a traditional English text and arranged by John Rutter, this carol bounds forward with a bright, dancing energy. From the very first measure, the lively rhythm invites both the singers and the congregation to celebrate the birth of the Redeemer with gladness and mirth.

The piece unfolds as a musical journey through the Christmas story. We move from the heavenly vision of angels appearing to the shepherds, to the bright star guiding the wise men from the East. Rutter’s arrangement gives each verse its own character—sometimes led by the sopranos and altos, other times grounded by the tenors and basses—before bringing the full choir together for the triumphant refrain.

For a choir, mastering the crisp diction and buoyant tempo of this piece brings a wonderful energy to the loft. It is a perfect fit for a Christmas concert or a festive Mass during the Christmas octave. The final, ringing repetitions of "rejoice!" leave the church echoing with the glad tidings of the season, reminding everyone why we sing so joyfully at Christmas.