Christmas music, in the form of carols, songs, stringed or instrumental renditions, is constantly heard during the Christmas season. Music forms the background against which everything else takes place to make the Christmas season different from all others. Christmas music plays such a significant role that during the entire season, other popular music temporarily disappears from radio. That may be the reason for all the different types of Christmas music - sacred, secular, popular, and traditional - that have emerged throughout the years.
Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music have been developed by musical artists and performers who “make over” classic styles of Christmas music with their own personal touch. One reason for popular makeovers of Christmas music may be because regular popular music is not heard much during the holiday season, so pop musicians and artists do Christmas music to keep their voices always in earshot of their fans and the general audience. It could also be that they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas music.
Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular musical artists to release new Christmas, or holiday, music albums during the season. Since variety is the spice of life, it means there are more variations of secular, sacred, classical or traditional, and popular renditions of Christmas music to be heard.
Music at Christmas time is important to create the right mood. The prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to create the special holiday feeling or spirit that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone has particular Christmas songs and carols that are favorites, maybe for the melody, the lyrics, or because they are reminders of special memories.
The most popular Christmas song is said to be “White Christmas,” which is popular even in warm and tropical climates where people sing of “dreaming of a White Christmas,” which in reality they would not want. Other popular Christmas songs and carols are: Away in a Manger, which tells the Nativity story in song; O Holy Night; Silent Night; Joy to the World; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; and Angels We Have Heard on High.
All of these songs are sacred and are all about the story of Jesus' birth. Also of note is Handel’s majestic “Hallelujah Chorus,” which is a favorite that choirs like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the music. Nat King Cole's “Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire” is a classical favorite. It defies categorization as it isn't sacred but is also not considered secular like a song such as “Sleigh Ride.”
Among secular Christmas songs, there are also funny ones such as “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The availability of a wide Christmas music selection makes it possible to choose songs for different occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or informal party, or for a formal dinner. As an example, selections can be made to create the right mood at the start of a party, followed by more lively music when the party is in full swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when the party is nearing its end.
It's also important to note that professional groups such as choirs, symphonies, and orchestras will also record performances of Christmas music on albums. For the very serious and critical music aficionados, these albums will provide wonderful listening pleasure and also make good Christmas presents. Listening to music from these groups is a way of enjoying their performances if you don’t get the opportunity to attend a live concert by the professional group.
Whatever selections of Christmas music are made, it's likely that it will create a festive mood and spirit among all who hear the music.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Christmas Plays and Performances
It's always a good thing when families can enjoy outings together. Attending Christmas plays, performances, and concerts offers wonderful holiday entertainment for all members of the family and provides another way to enjoy the festivities of the Christmas season.
Families usually don't have to venture too far from their home to enjoy a Christmas play or concert. Amateur actors, singers, and budding musicians in their neighborhood will usually take part in several Christmas performances for local residents. These amateur, but entertaining, events can be found at local schools, churches, or at a community theater or performance center.
It's very popular for those groups to stage performances of the Nativity story, or other Christmas related works such as “A Christmas Carol.” Churches and school groups may even have a complete concert series that includes a full-length production of a play along with choirs, soloists, and the band singing Christmas carols and other Christmas songs.
What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the community, and maybe even of your own household, may be among the entertainers. It is special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and different. For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually priced to be very affordable, offering an economic incentive to go out and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.
Those people who are lovers of the arts, and who are more interested in seeing a professional performance, will likely also have a professional theatrical company within reasonable proximity of their residence. Professional groups may also perform Christmas classics such as “A Christmas Carol,” or they may do another dramatic production from the works of other playwrights.
Music lovers also have a variety of performances to enjoy at Christmas time. While one can often catch various groups singing carols in downtown areas or at malls, there are other places to hear rich, melodious performances of Christmas music. These include concerts by acclaimed or recognized conservatories, orchestras, symphonies, and renowned choir groups. The beauty of hearing Christmas music by these groups is in the accompaniment of instruments and the harmonious blending of voices, which all happens in a venue that has acoustic features to optimize the auditory pleasure of the performances. The different components that make the whole performance offer a richer quality to Christmas songs and carols that may be described as “sounding heavenly.”
Another popular artistic performance that is popular during the Christmas season is classical dance in the form of ballet, and particularly the performance of the “Nutcracker” ballet. With music written by Tchaikovsky, the story is about a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle with a Mouse King that has seven heads. After a battle between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King, who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured; but the little girl throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head, and kills him. In the end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic purpose of providing enjoyment, but it can also help young people, and even adults, to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations, and the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a lifelong love of the arts and, possibly, a dream to pursue a career in the arts.
Families usually don't have to venture too far from their home to enjoy a Christmas play or concert. Amateur actors, singers, and budding musicians in their neighborhood will usually take part in several Christmas performances for local residents. These amateur, but entertaining, events can be found at local schools, churches, or at a community theater or performance center.
It's very popular for those groups to stage performances of the Nativity story, or other Christmas related works such as “A Christmas Carol.” Churches and school groups may even have a complete concert series that includes a full-length production of a play along with choirs, soloists, and the band singing Christmas carols and other Christmas songs.
What makes local Christmas performances special is that members of the community, and maybe even of your own household, may be among the entertainers. It is special to see familiar faces doing something interesting and different. For those who are budget-conscious, the performances are usually priced to be very affordable, offering an economic incentive to go out and have an enjoyable afternoon or evening.
Those people who are lovers of the arts, and who are more interested in seeing a professional performance, will likely also have a professional theatrical company within reasonable proximity of their residence. Professional groups may also perform Christmas classics such as “A Christmas Carol,” or they may do another dramatic production from the works of other playwrights.
Music lovers also have a variety of performances to enjoy at Christmas time. While one can often catch various groups singing carols in downtown areas or at malls, there are other places to hear rich, melodious performances of Christmas music. These include concerts by acclaimed or recognized conservatories, orchestras, symphonies, and renowned choir groups. The beauty of hearing Christmas music by these groups is in the accompaniment of instruments and the harmonious blending of voices, which all happens in a venue that has acoustic features to optimize the auditory pleasure of the performances. The different components that make the whole performance offer a richer quality to Christmas songs and carols that may be described as “sounding heavenly.”
Another popular artistic performance that is popular during the Christmas season is classical dance in the form of ballet, and particularly the performance of the “Nutcracker” ballet. With music written by Tchaikovsky, the story is about a young girl who has a dream on Christmas Eve of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle with a Mouse King that has seven heads. After a battle between the Nutcracker, who leads an army of toy soldiers, and the Mouse King, who leads an army of mice, the Nutcracker is captured; but the little girl throws her slipper at the Mouse King, hits him in the head, and kills him. In the end, the Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes the little girl to the magical and enchanting Land of Snow with dancing snowflakes and the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Attending Christmas plays, concerts or musical performances serves the basic purpose of providing enjoyment, but it can also help young people, and even adults, to develop an appreciation for the arts. Seeing different variations, and the creativity in performances of Christmas plays, as well as hearing different renditions of Christmas songs, can be the first exposure that leads to a lifelong love of the arts and, possibly, a dream to pursue a career in the arts.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Christmas Activities for Children
While adults indulge in the festivities and revel in enjoying the spirit of Christmas, it is undoubtedly more fun for children because they are able to lose themselves in the wide-eyed wonders and glorious splendor of the season.
Activities at Christmas that children can enjoy include all of the sights, sounds, and scents that put the magic and festive spirit into Christmas. At major shopping centers and malls, children can enjoy various window displays and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas scenes. The displays, which can be moving, stationary, or interactive, can be so numerous and mesmerizing that parents often arrange a trip to such malls just for children to view the many displays.
Shopping malls are also a popular place where Santa Claus is sure to be found. For a small fee, children can sit or stand with Santa Claus, talk with him, and most importantly, get a picture taken with Santa. Those children, like pre-teens and teenagers who may be too old for Santa Claus, can also be entertained by the various grand Christmas displays as well as one of their favorite activities - shopping.
Various colorful and twinkling lights are certain to be a part of the displays at malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lights can also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays have become so common, just about everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their houses. This has led to neighborhoods where it is common to see an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds, and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus' birth. It can be a fun activity to take a tour of these neighborhoods with children for them to feast their eyes.
In a similar manner to the grand Christmas lighting that can be found in some neighborhoods, there are also themed-lighting displays at quaint villages and special large Christmas light displays at venues such as some public parks. The displays can be similar to those seen in neighborhoods except that they are usually on a larger and grander scale. As an example, a typical home lawn display will have a Christmas display that includes Santa, a sleigh, and a reindeer or two, all as separate pieces. A Christmas display at a themed village or park would have a large, and possibly moving, display of Santa Claus with elf-like figures in a sleigh that is being pulled by reindeers, all as one large structure.
These Christmas sights are what often bring out the wide-eyed wonder in children as their faces express awe and amazement. While children will have a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree at home to enjoy, it will also be fun for them to go to other Christmas Tree lightings because, again, those trees are usually bigger and decorated on a grander scale than the ones in their living rooms at home.
Just about every town, city, or municipality will have a Christmas tree lighting in a central location. Sometimes local firehouses will also have a special Christmas tree lighting. At these events, children can see a local official or personality flip a switch to symbolically turn on the Christmas tree, similar to watching the President do on television. Those local events are likely to include Christmas treats and goodies, a Santa Claus to present Christmas gifts to children, and the singing of Christmas carols.
Taking time out to engage in activities just for the enjoyment of children will make them feel special, experience the magic of Christmas, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Activities at Christmas that children can enjoy include all of the sights, sounds, and scents that put the magic and festive spirit into Christmas. At major shopping centers and malls, children can enjoy various window displays and arrangements inside stores that show Christmas scenes. The displays, which can be moving, stationary, or interactive, can be so numerous and mesmerizing that parents often arrange a trip to such malls just for children to view the many displays.
Shopping malls are also a popular place where Santa Claus is sure to be found. For a small fee, children can sit or stand with Santa Claus, talk with him, and most importantly, get a picture taken with Santa. Those children, like pre-teens and teenagers who may be too old for Santa Claus, can also be entertained by the various grand Christmas displays as well as one of their favorite activities - shopping.
Various colorful and twinkling lights are certain to be a part of the displays at malls and shopping centers, but other arrangements of Christmas lights can also be a delightful activity for children to enjoy. Because Christmas displays have become so common, just about everyone has some form of lighting arrangement at their houses. This has led to neighborhoods where it is common to see an increase in traffic during the Christmas season because of the fanciful, landscaped displays of outdoor Christmas light decorations. These usually include figures of reindeers, Santa, sleighs, angels, shepherds, and animals that are a part of the story of Jesus' birth. It can be a fun activity to take a tour of these neighborhoods with children for them to feast their eyes.
In a similar manner to the grand Christmas lighting that can be found in some neighborhoods, there are also themed-lighting displays at quaint villages and special large Christmas light displays at venues such as some public parks. The displays can be similar to those seen in neighborhoods except that they are usually on a larger and grander scale. As an example, a typical home lawn display will have a Christmas display that includes Santa, a sleigh, and a reindeer or two, all as separate pieces. A Christmas display at a themed village or park would have a large, and possibly moving, display of Santa Claus with elf-like figures in a sleigh that is being pulled by reindeers, all as one large structure.
These Christmas sights are what often bring out the wide-eyed wonder in children as their faces express awe and amazement. While children will have a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree at home to enjoy, it will also be fun for them to go to other Christmas Tree lightings because, again, those trees are usually bigger and decorated on a grander scale than the ones in their living rooms at home.
Just about every town, city, or municipality will have a Christmas tree lighting in a central location. Sometimes local firehouses will also have a special Christmas tree lighting. At these events, children can see a local official or personality flip a switch to symbolically turn on the Christmas tree, similar to watching the President do on television. Those local events are likely to include Christmas treats and goodies, a Santa Claus to present Christmas gifts to children, and the singing of Christmas carols.
Taking time out to engage in activities just for the enjoyment of children will make them feel special, experience the magic of Christmas, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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