Best Holiday Songs for Families? Try something new!
November 28, 2010 No Comments
This post was written by Mark Biesterfeld, Owner of Petite Musician in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Recently, a dad in one of my Petite Musician music classes asked for some suggestions for new and “non-traditional” Christmas music.
As I thought through my reply, I realized that I had a rather backwards answer. You see, from my perspective the culture of our Holiday season is driven these days by things that are “new” and things that are “better.”
I am always hearing new versions of Christmas songs influenced by jazz, pop, rap, hip hop or country music etc. These songs are just fine in and of themselves, but sometimes the influence is so strong as to make the Christmas song unrecognizable. More importantly, in my opinion, it makes the song almost un-singable.
If you and your family truly want a new musical experience this season try this: spend some time learning the words to your favorite holiday songs. For instance, teach your kids the 2nd and 3rd verses of “Jingle Bells” or really learn all the words to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and not just the chorus.
Spend a few weeks playing around with those “normal” versions of the Christmas favorites. Then, one evening before bedtime as Christmas draws near, dim the lights in the house, turn down the heat, turn on your Christmas tree and make a special snack.
As a family, gather around the tree in the dim light and sing together the songs you have been learning as a family. You can print out some lyrics to help you but it doesn’t matter one bit if you are good at it or in tune or even on the beat. Just sing and enjoy the spirit that brings you together as a family.
I promise you that this family get-together will remain a lasting holiday memory for you and your family. This year, take a chance that “new “ and “better” don’t have as much impact as some of the old traditions of the holiday season and sing together as a family!
I am especially fond of “The Complete Christmas Collection” CD because it has pretty traditional arrangements of Christmas Songs and it has extra “sing along” tracks to help with your family song night. My favorite Hanukkah CD is “A Child’s Hanukkah” and I really like “Kwanzaa Party” for those who celebrate Kwanzaa.
The Holiday three-week session is beginning next week for people who live in the Denver area. Please check out www.petitemusician.com for pricing and locations as well their brand-new Petite Musician store where you can purchase the CD mentioned in this article and much more!
About Mark Biesterfeld and Petite Musician
Mark Biesterfeld has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Indiana University and a Master’s in Music from the University of Cincinnati . He has performed with Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Colorado, Utah Festival Opera, Cincinnati Opera and Sarasota Opera. He has numerous concert credits appearing as a soloist with Kentucky Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
Mark and Leah Creek Biesterfeld are the owners of Petite Musician in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. They teach classes based on the Music Together curriculum. From Petite Musician’s website “Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them.” For more information on the Music Together program, click here. The program is widely available throughout the United States.
Petite Musician locations include Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, West Littleton, South Littleton, Highlands Ranch and Centennial, Arvada and Downtown Littleton, Colorado. Petite Musician was recently chosen as the 2010 Family Favorite for music classes by Colorado Parent magazine! The awards are voted on by parents all over the metro Denver area.
Holiday, Music
