Can you guess the original Christmas hit ?
Okay you Christmas music detectives..... This was a challenge put to me last Christmas 2025. The task was to create a cheesy Christmas 'hit' that pays homage to any 'well-known' Christmas song - something ORIGINAL but sounds JUST THE SAME AS.... I was given 30 minutes to create such a piece - so here it is. In many ways my piece is a 'Contrafact' - a musical piece that uses a well-known chord progression but presents a completely new melody over the top of this (a musical device very common in both classical and jazz music). Can you guess the original Christmas hit ? - when faced with the challenge I could think of at least 4 Christmas chart-toppers that have been built on and around this chord progression with various small approximations. A further challenge (and clue) - within the harmonic structure is a unique and characteristic 'Christmas' chord - I've surely given the game away now !
J. M.
Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. Since 1987 Jock has based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Currently Jock holds the position of Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and is the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an "Honary Fellowship of the University of Winchester" for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for the Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for "Services to Youth" by Brass Bands England.
