MASHING THROUGH THE SNOW (Jingle Bells)

Arrangement: Richard Elliot

Bluegrass music might not seem like a natural fit in a Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir. But when Tabernacle organist Richard Elliott is given a chance to go solo at a Christmas concert, the results are brilliant, and Elliott’s show-stopping organ extravaganzas have become a much-anticipated highlight at these events.

For the 2019 concert, Elliott played the organ alongside the Cold Creek bluegrass band in an enthusiastic version of “Jingle Bells” that includes references to country and bluegrass licks such as Arthur Smith’s “Dueling Banjos,” “The Sailor’s Hornpipe,” and “Orange Blossom Special” (a classic fiddle tune).

But just in case this all seemed a little too “rustic” for the Conference Center organ, a quote from the “Toccata” movement of Widor’s Organ Symphony no. 5 steals in, bouncing between the organ and fiddle in a rollicking, good-natured dialogue.