Advent/Christmas is my favorite time of year (apart from the Autumn season). I love the twinkling lights strung everywhere, the smell of fir trees, and hot soup. Also, the chilly weather (yay scarves! gloves! hats!) and making sweets to share. I also have the opportunity to play something other than wedding music. (Which I don’t mind but it’s nice to have a change once in a while!)
I have two ‘gigs’ this month:
A Lessons & Carols service at my church (I’m playing with two friends, one of which is playing the violin and one of which will sing). We are considering different songs at the moment (we have three weeks) but here are some of my favorites:
O, Holy Night
In the Bleak Midwinter
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
I’ve also got a wedding at the end of December. I’m playing through “Maybe” and it is not as difficult as I was expecting. I need to go through and label the higher notes (waaaay above high C) for easier learning, but I expect it will be somewhat smoother sailing from there. I’m also going to be listening to it so I can get the timing right.
There are also several pieces that I want to play & sing, which might be good for that tea party I was thinking about…
“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from Phantom of the Opera
“Into the West” from The Lord of the Rings
“My Love’s an Arbutus” (the arrangement from “Folk Harp With a Friend” by Patricia Jaeger)
I have played them all but I have not worked on voice/harp together so I am curious to see how that changes my practicing and performance.
So, what are you practicing/performing during the holidays? Any favorite songs?
