O Little Town of Bethlehem
Price range: $10.00 through $50.00
Donna Rhodenizer has crafted an original melody for O Little Town of Bethlehem, breathing new life into the timeless words of this beloved Christmas carol. The minor tonality, the lyrical melody line and the lush harmonies create an exquisite setting for choral presentations.
O Little Town of Bethlehem is offered in unison/solo, SSA and SATB arrangements. Please note: To accommodate vocal ranges, the unison and SATB arrangements are in the key of F minor and the SSA arrangement is in the key of G minor.
Listen to melody + accompaniment:
Download Includes:
- Vocal score
- Lead sheet
- Director/piano score
- Lyrics
- Accompaniment – with melody guide
- Accompaniment – piano
Share this page using these social links!
O Little Town of Bethlehem
music by Donna Rhodenizer
Listen to melody + accompaniment for O Little Town of Bethlehem as you follow along with the lyrics.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
I remember writing this melody. It was late at night and I was playing chord changes, just “noodling” and not really working on anything in particular. I have multiple tracks that I recorded during this session and when I listen to them in order, it is possible to hear how the song idea evolved until it reached its final form. It was certainly a process that became refined and molded through many repetitions.
The song’s plaintive, minor tonality seemed to me to require a serious topic for the song. I crafted lyrics about the weeping willow and the secrets it must hold in its branches and that cause the willow to weep. I don’t know what made me think to try the lyrics for O Little Town of Bethlehem with my melody. When I did so, I was delighted to discover that they fit with one minor lyric change. I like the words to this familiar Christmas carol but the melody by Lewis H. Redner has never been one of my favourites. Now, with my new melody I am happy to include O Little Town of Bethlehem as one of the Christmas songs I really enjoy playing and singing.
In addition to its use as a Christmas carol in unison, SSA and SATB arrangements and as the secular song “Willow” (words and music), my melody was edited for use as a Vocalise (a wordless vocal study) for inclusion in the Royal Conservatory of Music Voice Series, 2025 Edition (Vocalises 5). I also play this as an instrumental solo on my violin or on my accordion (see bonus tab below). That’s a lot of mileage for one song!
When you have enjoyed singing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!
Send us your performance video - perhaps we might post it on this page!
O Little Town of Bethlehem (SSA) is also available through Full Voice Music
O Little Town of Bethlehem uses the original melody from Donna's composition Willow. Enjoy this studio instrumental version of Willow from Donna's CD Musically Yours.
Send us your video of O Little Town of Bethlehem and perhaps we can post it here.
| License | Vocal Solo / Single User License, Studio / School License, Small Ensemble License, Small Choir License, Large Choir License |
|---|---|
| Context | Choir – Middle School, Choir – High School, Choir – Community, Choir Repertoire, Small Group Class, Vocal Solo, Choir – SATB, Choir – SSA, Choir – Unison |
| Topic | |
| Level | Adult, Age 12 and up, Grades 4-6, Middle School, High School |
| Voicing | |
| Vocal Range | Various |
| Duration | |
| Lyrics | Phillips Brooks |
| Music | Donna Rhodenizer |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.