🎄 A Tradition in Sound: We have a winner

Every family, culture, and country celebrates the holidays in its own way—and this challenge invited composers to turn those deeply personal traditions into music.

From winter games and first snowfalls to sacred Christmas Eve rituals and modern living‑room chaos, this month’s scores reminded us that holiday music isn’t just about melodies we already know—it’s about memory, movement, and meaning.

What stood out most across submissions was the incredible range of approaches: cinematic worlds built from music-box motifs, percussion-driven narratives that felt tactile and playful, hymns that honored centuries-old traditions, and experimental textures that reimagined what “holiday music” can be.

To every composer who participated: thank you for sharing a piece of your culture, your family, and your story with us. 💙

✨ Note on Highlights

As with recent challenges, this closing article focuses on celebrating the Top 10 scores that best captured the spirit of the brief through storytelling, technique, and originality. While we don’t publish a separate highlights section, every submission was reviewed—and every tradition shared added something special to this challenge.

Now, let’s unwrap the results. 🎁

🏆 Top 10 Scores

🥇 1st Place — Toboggan by Loketo

A joyful, sparkling celebration of winter fun, Toboggan excels in both narrative clarity and technical execution. The energetic 150 BPM pulse propels the piece forward, while delicate mallet writing and transparent textures evoke the shimmer of cold air and speed on snow. Dynamic shaping is handled with great care, guiding the listener from mystery to exhilaration. The pizzicato bass adds a modern, playful touch, allowing the rhythmic details—jingle bells and side stick patterns—to truly shine. A technically polished and emotionally vivid tribute to seasonal joy.

🥈 2nd Place — A Christmas Eve Special Song by Thomas Bozarth

This majestic and compositionally mature work honors the Christmas Eve tradition with exceptional orchestral and choral writing. Expansive dynamic contrasts move seamlessly from intimate reflection to monumental celebration. The SATB voice leading is smooth and idiomatic, soaring above organ and string textures that feel both rich and reverent. Thoughtful pedal use creates a glowing wash of sound, immersing the listener in a deeply spiritual atmosphere. A powerful and technically flawless holiday statement.

🥉 3rd Place — Frozen Memory by Mysterious Hero, GooskiV!bes & It’s Ender

A highly original, cinematic reimagining of holiday tradition, Frozen Memory blends a delicate music-box aesthetic with driving orchestral and rock elements. The rhythmic layering and precise dynamic instructions guide a clear emotional arc, while the interplay between drum set, mallets, and bells creates a pulsing “holiday heartbeat.” Nostalgic yet thrilling, this piece balances intimacy and scale with remarkable imagination.

4. Plastic Wrap Ball Game by MusicHunter

A bold and humorous take on modern holiday tradition, this score turns the physical act of unwrapping into musical storytelling. Complex tuplets, sharp sforzando accents, and accelerating pacing mirror the frantic energy of the game itself. The synth-heavy ensemble avoids cliché while delivering clarity and momentum. Technically impressive, inventive, and genuinely fun.

5. At Home This Year by Thomas Kee

A sophisticated, percussion-driven narrative that shines through clarity and control. Mallet instruments glide through rapid passages, while carefully placed ritardandos create emotional breathing room. The combination of sleigh bells with syncopated modern keyboard writing results in a festive sound that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. Exceptionally detailed and deeply evocative.

6. Cathedrals of Light by Caleb Hicks

Grand in scale and vision, this piece blends traditional brass and choral writing with bold modern synth textures. Meticulous dynamic shaping and playback instructions allow light and shadow to coexist throughout the score. Driving jingle bell ostinatos energize expansive melodic lines, creating a cinematic celebration of seasonal grandeur.

7. The King Is Born Today! by Andrew Milz

A dignified and joyful hymn that captures the communal spirit of Christmas caroling. Clean SATB writing, a strong organ foundation, and thoughtful time-signature changes keep the piece engaging and uplifting. The recurring refrain is celebratory and memorable, embodying the shared joy of the season.

8. Photo Album No. 1 by Joswa

A reflective and emotionally rich composition built on dynamic contrast and forward momentum. From whisper-soft passages to powerful climaxes, the narrative unfolds with care and intention. Piano lines flow over driving percussion, evoking memory, time, and family history with warmth and weight.

9. First Snow by Jaxson Hillyer

A charming and well-paced tribute to the magic of a snow day. Shifts in tempo mark anticipation, excitement, and play, while expressive woodwind writing—especially between clarinet and flute—brings the scene to life. Subtle holiday percussion enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming it. A heartwarming winter portrait.

10. Opus Cryocheimonas No. 1 – “Winter Prelude” by Kozhavfexajq

A refined and atmospheric piano solo that captures the kinetic energy of winter weather. Persistent arpeggios and rhythmic triplets suggest swirling snow and cold winds, while harmonic tension adds a sense of chill without sacrificing lyricism. Professionally prepared and rewarding to perform

❄️ Closing Thoughts

This challenge reminded us that holiday music is more than tradition—it’s experience. Whether playful, sacred, reflective, or experimental, these scores transformed personal rituals into soundscapes we could all step into.

Thank you for composing, sharing, and listening with us.

Until the next challenge—keep writing your stories in music.

— The Flat Team 🎶