Gloria - Piano For Christmastide is the companion sheet music collection for Neil Patton’s 2025 Christmas album by the same name. The eleven pieces include three duets for flute/piano and piccolo/piano (performed on the recording by Neil’s wife, Cathy Patton), and one of the pieces is a Neil Patton original. Neil is an incredible pianist, so although his arrangements are not easy, I think most of them are easier to play than much of his original sheet music. Ever the teacher, the book includes seven pages of notes about Neil’s approach to playing the music and tips for mastering some of the trickier passages. There is another page with difficulty rankings for each piece and another that lists comparable pieces by ranking number for comparison. The back of the book includes a short bio and a photo of Neil. It’s fun to note that Neil and Cathy’s daughter, Corrie, designed the cover artwork and the photo of Neil and Cathy inside the book was taken by their son, Tim.

I am reviewing Gloria from a digital download to my 9”x12” iPad, and it was very easy to read - well-spaced and clear even with an older set of eyes! Neil included plenty of fingering and metronome settings, as well as pedaling and phrasing. The music is expressive and often deeply heartfelt, making it very satisfying to play. I’m looking forward to spending time mastering my favorites in time for the holidays!

Downloads and printed books of the full Gloria album are available from Neil’s website, and downloads of individual pieces are available there as well. It’s a beautiful collection and I recommend it very highly!

The titles of the pieces, the key(s) they are in and the number of pages are:

O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - 5 1/2 pages
Joy to the World - Key of D major (2 sharps) - 3 1/2 pages
Still, Still, Still - Key of C major (0 sharps or flats) - 2 1/2 pages
What Child is This (duet with flute) - Key of D Minor (1 flat)) - piano 4 1/2 pages/ flute 1 page
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Key of F Major (1 flat) - 5 1/2 pages
The Christ Child Lullaby - Key of D Major (2 sharps) - 5 pages
Gabriel’s Message (trio with flute and piccolo) - Key of E minor (1 sharp) - piano 4 1/2 pages/ flute and piccolo 2 pages
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Key of G Major (1 sharp) - 6 pages
Emmanuel (God With Us) (duet with flute) - Key of E Minor (1 sharp) - piano 7 pages/flute 2 pages
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella - Key of F major (1 flat) - 4 pages
Silent Night - Key of C Major (0 sharps or flats) - 3 1/2 pages