Christmas Time is Here | From a Charlie Brown Christmas | Flute Choir

"Christmas Time Is Here" is a beloved Christmas song composed by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 TV special *A Charlie Brown Christmas*, one of the earliest animated Christmas specials produced for network television in the U.S. The song appears in two versions on the A Charlie Brown Christmas album: an instrumental rendition by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and a vocal version sung by the children’s choir from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California. This choir had previously performed with Guaraldi for his "jazz mass" at Grace Cathedral earlier that year. Initially, "Christmas Time Is Here" was meant to be instrumental, but producer Lee Mendelson felt the piece deserved lyrics. Unable to find a lyricist in time, Mendelson decided to write the words himself, recalling how he penned the now-iconic lyrics at his kitchen table in just ten minutes. The simple, heartfelt poem has remained unchanged since. Guaraldi gathered a group of children to record the vocal version, which has since become a Christmas classic. Drummer Jerry Granelli of the Vince Guaraldi Trio reflected on the song's legacy, noting how Guaraldi had finally achieved his dream of composing a standard: "'Christmas Time Is Here' has been recorded as a standard, and Vince always wanted to write one. He did it." This video showcases a flute choir performance of "Christmas Time is Here."