Merry Christmas 2011

The Night Before Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "The Night Before Christmas" by Carly Simon.  I heard it first on an Amy Grant Christmas recording from 1992.  My favorite part is the last verse.  Enjoy this live recording from the 2005 Saint Patrick's Elementary School Christmas Program in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The entire student body sings with student accompaniment on recorders and piano.

The Night Before Christmas by Carly Simon

Children carry through the streets a brightly painted star

Angels gather round the hearth strumming on guitars

And men of great renown and faith say prayers on boulevards

On the night before Christmas

You don't have to be an angel to sing harmony

You don't have to be a child to love the mystery

You don't have to be a wise man on bended knee

The heart of this Christmas is in you and me.

If your heart's been longing; you've been afraid to try

Sorrow's kept you company and the dance has passed you by

I'll lift you up and blaze with you across the moonlit sky

On the night before Christmas

Maoz Tzur at Charlotte Folk Society

Today is the first day of Hanukkah.  The root of the word "hanukkah" is "dedicate".  This Jewish festival of lights celebrates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem after many years of oppression.  Though the story is part of the Jewish tradition, the message of hope is universal:

Yours the message cheering,
That the time is nearing,
Which will see all people free,
Tyrants disappearing

In honor of the first day of Hanukkah listen to Community Singers performing Maoz Tzur at the Charlotte Folk Society's holiday potluck dinner with Shlomo Snir singing the solo.

singing the circle of fifths

I finally have my singing voice back.  In today's lesson you'll hear the circle of fifths as I sing the scales for each of the keys.  The scales are represented on the chart vertically and the fifth progression goes horizontally.   Go back to my post from 11/21 if you need the introduction to the circle of fifths.

How Can I Keep From Singing

I have been putting off recording a new singing lesson until my singing voice returns, so I thought I would share an old recording of me singing and playing (hammered dulcimer) one of my favorite songs, "How Can I Keep From Singing" with "Simple Gifts".