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The Holly and the Ivy

arr. Chip Davis/Robert Longfield

The Holly and the Ivy These plants have been a mainstay of British Christmas decoration for hundreds of years. Holly was sacred to druids who associated it with the winter solstice. Henry VIII wrote a love song which alludes to holly and ivy resisting winter blasts and not changing their green hue.

Arranger Louis “Chip” Davis (b.1947) began piano lessons at age 4. He graduated from the University of Michigan and founded Mannheim Steamroller, a techno-group which fuses modern and classical music. Robert Longfield, who arranged this version for band, was a classmate of Davis at Michigan. He teaches high school in Miami and conducts the Greater Miami Symphonic Band.

Last updated on April 21, 2015 by Palatine Concert Band