One autumn, many years ago, I found myself a part of a children’s choir directed by a local music professor. Along with roughly 80 other children, I spent the weeks leading up to the holidays preparing for a Christmas concert, learning various singing techniques, while also memorizing the words to classic carols.
Song is such an important part of all human cultures! As someone with German and Irish roots, my family impressed me with the joy of sharing song with others and this was most memorable at Christmastime. Both Germany and Ireland have traditions that reach way back into their origins, of course, and Germany in particular played a key role in the formulation of Christmas music. Part of the rituals I most enjoyed as a child were the traditional carols sung in the Anglican and Catholic Christmas services. That said, regardless of one's religious take on the possibilities (or not) of human salvation, raising one's voice in song with others (no matter where or when) is a self and group affirming act with positive consequences that extend well beyond the rote practices and recitations of a seasonal holiday occasion. May old the myriad mysteries and joys of this Winter Solstice season be with you, Annie, and fill your heart with song!
Hi Annie, Please help us with a New Year’s cozy booklist. I love detective stories (without the lesbian on page 48, without Hallmarky schlock). I’m talking from classics to contemporary. Also riveting biographies. Thank you! Merry Christmas! PS I collect dusty old hymnals.
Very important to keep these traditions alive in the younger generations. Thanks for the inspiring reminder!
Song is such an important part of all human cultures! As someone with German and Irish roots, my family impressed me with the joy of sharing song with others and this was most memorable at Christmastime. Both Germany and Ireland have traditions that reach way back into their origins, of course, and Germany in particular played a key role in the formulation of Christmas music. Part of the rituals I most enjoyed as a child were the traditional carols sung in the Anglican and Catholic Christmas services. That said, regardless of one's religious take on the possibilities (or not) of human salvation, raising one's voice in song with others (no matter where or when) is a self and group affirming act with positive consequences that extend well beyond the rote practices and recitations of a seasonal holiday occasion. May old the myriad mysteries and joys of this Winter Solstice season be with you, Annie, and fill your heart with song!
Hi Annie, Please help us with a New Year’s cozy booklist. I love detective stories (without the lesbian on page 48, without Hallmarky schlock). I’m talking from classics to contemporary. Also riveting biographies. Thank you! Merry Christmas! PS I collect dusty old hymnals.