It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Lead Sheet - Key Of A Major

Composition/Improvisation

Difficulty Level: 4

(2,880 Points)

Description:

“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Lead Sheet - Key Of A Major” is classified as a Level 4 Piano work worth 2,880 points within the Road to Virtuosity progression system. It is categorized under Lead Sheets → Hymns, Hymns - Christmas and is part of the Composition/Improvisation collection. The sheet music for “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Lead Sheet - Key Of A Major” provided on this website is available for non-commercial use. This means it may be downloaded, printed, studied, and performed for personal or educational purposes, but it may not be sold, redistributed commercially, or used as part of a paid product without permission.

“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear” is presented here as a lead sheet in A major. The page includes the melody on a single treble staff, chord symbols above the notes, and multiple verses of lyrics under the melody. Instead of a written-out piano accompaniment, this version gives the basic tune, harmony, and text so it can be used for singing, simple accompaniment, arranging, or improvisation.

Measures 1–6 present the opening phrase, “It came upon the midnight clear.” The melody moves in a calm, hymn-like shape while the chord symbols begin with A, D/A, D, B7, and E. The stacked lyrics allow the same melody to carry several verses without needing separate pages.

Measures 7–13 continue the verse with the “Peace on the earth” text. The harmony moves through A, D, E7, C# major, and F# minor, giving the lead sheet more color while still keeping the melody clear and singable.

Measures 14–26 complete the carol with the final phrase, “To hear the angels sing.” The chord symbols return through E, E7, A, D/A, D, and E7 before resolving back to A. The ending gives the page a clear cadence while keeping the layout practical for accompaniment or improvisation.

Interesting fact: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” is unusual among Christmas carols because its text focuses less on the manger scene and more on peace, human suffering, and the hope that the world will one day hear the angels’ song clearly. That gives the carol a reflective, almost prayer-like character compared with more celebratory Christmas hymns.

How to earn points for this lead sheet:

  1. Get the lead sheet.Download or purchase the lead sheet using the options available on this page.
  2. Improvise three different verses.Perform exactly three verses of your own arrangement. Each verse must be significantly different: use different left-hand patterns, textures or embellishments. A performance with only two verses will not be approved. Watch the video example for guidance. Your arrangement may be easier or harder than the example, and may be in a different key.
  3. Record your performance.Record the complete performance on your phone, camera or recording app. Perfection is not required; a few minor mistakes are okay. Add a YouTube link, or upload a saved video file for private evaluation.
  4. Submit your video for review.Choose free Public Evaluation for community feedback using a Public or Unlisted YouTube video. Choose paid Private Evaluation for RTV admin feedback using a YouTube link or a video file. Review the charge before paying.
  5. Check your result and collect your points.After review, return to your submission to see the result and any feedback. If approved, collect your points. If more practice is needed, use the feedback to prepare another recording. Only approved private evaluations count toward certificates.