For Clarinet Quintet
🎄Enchant your audiences with this intermediate arrangement for clarinet quintet of The Carpenters' holiday classic "Merry Christmas, Darling"--instantly downloadable for your next holiday performance. This arrangement is perfect for holiday gatherings, events, recitals, parties, or caroling gigs. Many notable artists have recorded this popular holiday favorite, including Chicago, Amy Grant, Natalie Cole, Lea Michele, and more recently, Lennon Stella. It was written for most groups ranging from advanced high school quintets to amateur groups, college ensembles, & professional quintets. As it is written for five voices and four different clarinets, this piece can easily be utilized by clarinet choirs as well, with any contrabass clarinet doubling the bass clarinet part.
🎄In 1966, the choral music director at California State University, Long Beach, Frank Pooler, shared some lyrics he had written twenty years earlier with two of his music students: Richard and Karen Carpenter. Richard wrote a new melody for these lyrics, and in 1970, The Carpenters recorded the song, which reached number one on the Billboard Christmas Singles Chart in 1970 (and again in 1971 and 1973). This heartwarming melody will charm your audiences and offer them some warm Christmas cheer. Originally scored for a studio orchestra, I hope you enjoy this unique setting for five clarinets.
You-Tube score-following video of “Merry Christmas, Darling” arranged for clarinet quintet by Mark A. Craig/Craig Music Publishers
🎄After watching this video, head over to Sheet Music Direct or Sheet Music Plus to add this exceptional arrangement to your digital holiday music collection.
🎄Updated 12 October 2026
