Monday, December 24, 2007

Joy to the World/Hallelujah - Advent Calendar Day 25

It has been difficult at times to choose what music to include in this musical advent calendar. There are so many wonderful pieces to choose! But today, it's easy. Today is the day to rejoice! Merry Christmas, everyone!

"Joy to the World" - Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square



"Hallelujah" - Robert Shaw conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus

The First Noel - Advent Calendar Day 24

"In the Bleak Midwinter/The First Noel" - Celtic Woman



"Pastoral Symphony/There Were Shepherds/Glory to God" - Bow Valley Chorus

Sunday, December 23, 2007

O Little Town of Bethlehem - Advent Calendar Day 23

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" - Anglican's Choir and Kiri Tikanawa



"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" - Susan Paree

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Carol of the Bells - Advent Calendar Day 22

"Carol of the Bells" - Utah Valley Handbell Ringers and the Utah Baroque Ensemble



What a difference another arrangement can make! Here is "Carol of the Bells" again, this time done by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with just a touch of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" thrown in the arrangement.

Friday, December 21, 2007

The Christmas Song - Advent Calendar Day 21

He did it first, and it's still the best! "The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole.



Here's another song I always have to sing along with, even on the Spanish verses where I have no idea what I'm saying and I can't pronounce it right. "Feliz Navidad" - Jose Feliciano

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Advent Calendar Day 20

"Mary, Did You Know" - Donny Osmond



"Guard Him Joseph" - Fun School care center performance

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

We Need a Little Christmas - Advent Calendar Day 19

No, I didn't skip a day. I noticed just now that I had two Day 7's. Must have been one of those days when I had more things to do than time to do it. Oh, wait, that's every day. In any case, I'm looking forward to my Christmas vacation. I have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. Counting the weekend, that's four whole days in a row! I haven't had that many days off work since . . . I can't remember when. I really need this Christmas!



Here's Kenny G's video of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." (Side note: Back in the 80's I went to a Michael Bolton/Kenny G concert at Park City, Utah. Kenny asked if there were any little kids in the audience. There was one little boy sitting with his parents near the front. Kenny had him come up on stage and gave him a clarinet! Then he told this boy to come backstage after the show to get a quick lesson on how to play the thing. What a nice guy! And I wish I had his hair.)

Another Auld Lang Syne - Advent Calendar Day 17

I was saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Dan Fogelberg at age 56 of cancer. He was a wonderful musician and lyricist. His lyrics could be bound and published as a book of poetry. His song "Another Auld Lang Syne" is a new Christmas classic.



Here's a tribute to Dan, set to another of his songs, "Leader of the Band."

Monday, December 17, 2007

Bring Him Home - Advent Calendar Day 16

I heard this song for the first time last Saturday on the car radio as our family was driving home from a major Christmas shopping expidition. This one is going to be a new Christmas classic.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Have You Heard Paul Potts Yet? - Advent Calendar Day 15

Here are Paul Potts and Lesley Garrett singing "Silent Night."



Paul Potts was the winner of "Britain's Got Talent." You can see his first performance on the show here at Anne Bradshaw's blog. Paul now has a CD out called "One Chance."

Here is Paul singing "Con Te Partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye).

Friday, December 14, 2007

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Advent Calendar Day 14

This is a fairly new group called "Celtic Woman."



Now staying in the classical vein, but a little more innovative, here is Belle A Capella with their version of the "William Tell Overture."

Thursday, December 13, 2007

I'll Be Home For Christmas, A Message of Support to the American Military - Advent Calendar Day 13

This is dedicated to the men and women serving in our armed forces. They are sacrificing so much for the cause of freedom. The United States does not mandate military service, as some other countries do. There is currently no draft, as there has been in the past. The members of our military volunteered to serve their country. They deserve our love and respect and support.

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Josh Groban





In memory of PFC Jacob Hamilton Allcott. Born July 26, 1984, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Killed in the line of duty April 22, 2006, Baghdad, Iraq.

"And now if Christ had not come into the world,...there could have been no redemption. And if Christ had not risen from the dead . . . there could have been no resurrection. But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ." (Mosiah 16:6-8)


At the end of the following video, there is an address for sending cards and letters to soldiers. Unfortunately, the U.S. Postal Service is not delivering letters sent to this address. See this news story. If you want to send a message of support to our troops, go here or here or send mail to these addresses:

Soldiers’ Angels
1792 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, Calif. 91104

Or

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419


Let There Be Peace On Earth - Vince Gill

The 12 Days of Christmas - Advent Calendar Day 12

This version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" from the Muppets and John Denver is my favorite. I took one of those Blogthings quizzes that said I am most like Fozzie. But really, my favorite is Animal.



Sometimes, when I get a little too caught up in all the secular parts of Christmas (and stuck in traffic in front of the mall) Bob Rivers' "Twelve Pains of Christmas" fits my mood. Then something like "Silent Night" comes on the car radio and helps me remember what Christmas is all about.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Traditional Carols from Other Countries - Advent Calendar Day 11

For anyone who didn't know, "Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" is a French carol. I love the way it sounds in the original language. But then, everything sounds beautiful en Francais.



Here is a medley of Scandinavian Christmas music. Apparently, they are singing in Norweigan, Danish, Swedish, and Finnish. I can't tell which is which, but it sounds very Scandinavian doesn't it?

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Deck the Halls - Advent Calendar Day 10

Christmas lights synchronized to "Deck the Halls" by Mannheim Steamroller.



This is "Winter Wizards" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Do You Hear What I Hear? - Advent Calendar Day 8

I remember singing this song with my sisters at Christmas time, but I don't remember trying to learn the words. I must have just known them because I heard my family singing them every year.



I've wondered sometimes about the "multitude of heavenly hosts" with the angel who announced Christ's birth to the shepherds. I would have volunteered to be in that choir!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing - Advent Calendar Day 7

Here is the angelic voice of Jewel singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." That's the Trans-Siberian Orchestra backing her up.



And now a cautionary tale. Perhaps these young people spent a little too much time playing video games. They call themselves Redefined.



Come back again tomorrow. There's more!

The Prayer - Advent Calendar Day 6

"The Prayer" is actually from the Phantom of the Opera, but seems to be gaining popularity as Christmas Music. I think it is beautiful and I'll listen to it any time of the year. There are several great artists who have recorded it, like Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, or Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. I'm posting this version by Rinaldo Viana and Liriel Domiciano to spotlight Liriel. This is the young LDS woman who won the Raul Gil talent show in Brazil (like American Idol). They told her she couldn't mention her religion, so she wore her Young Women's medallion throughout the competition. What a voice!



Here is Liriel singing "Over the Rainbow" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.



Check back tomorrow for more wonderful music!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Advent Calendar Day 5

This one is from "A Welk Family Christmas" in 1995, the Osmond Brothers and the Lennon Sisters.



I just had to throw this one in. Aren't they cute?



See you tomorrow!

Monday, December 3, 2007

Amy Grant - Advent Calendar Day 4

Today's post is for Kerry.

I always thought Mary must have been a very special young woman to be chosen as the mother of the Savior. But when I first heard "Breath of Heaven" sung at our community Christmas concert a few years ago, I was struck with the thought that Mary was very young and was dealing with a huge responsibility. She must have been overwhelmed at times. But she could call on God for help. Sometimes, my prayers echo the line from the song, "Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me." And God makes me just a little stronger.





Here's another song by Amy Grant called "Heirlooms."




Thanks for visiting. Come back and see what's here tomorrow!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Little Drummer Boy - Advent Calendar Day 3

Is anyone else old enough to remember seeing The Little Drummer Boy special on TV? I think the song came first, but this is what it always makes me think of.



And speaking of Christmas miracles, what other than Christmas could cause Bing Crosby and David Bowie to sing a duet? They're on opposite ends of the spectrum. But they really sound good together, don't they? Little Drummer Boy has been done over and over again, but I especially like this one because they harmonize so well, and the "peace on earth" part. I heard David Bowie give an interview once where he said Little Drummer Boy was actually not really in his vocal range (could have fooled me), but he really wanted to sing with Bing Crosby, so they stuck Peace on Earth in the middle so Bowie would sound good too.



Come back tomorrow. There's more.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Jesus Christ is the Reason for Christmas (Advent Calendar Day 2)

I'll be posting both religious and secular Christmas music in the next few weeks, and a few things that have nothing to do with Christmas, but they're fun anyway. I hope we can all remember, though, that without Christ, there would be no Christmas.










If you couldn't tell, that was Josh Groban singing. Doesn't he have a wonderful voice? Sometimes, when the voice and the music are perfectly matched, it creates something divine.











I hope you all are enjoying this musical advent calendar. Come back tomorrow. There's more!