The Christmas Season is upon us, which means Christmas music. It's always something I looked forward to while I was in school.

Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride is always very fun to play!

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I can't think about Christmas before Halloween or even Thanksgiving. I also don't play much Christmas piano music. I used to, but not anymore.
(I probably sound like a scrooge...)

(Eddy, you forgot the trunk.)

Monica,
Now there's a trunk.

["musical-md"] I've never played sleigh ride on piano, but love playing it in orchestra.



Monica- since I'm working at a school, I kind of have to think about it. And I'd rather think about Christmas music than creepy Halloween music. Not much music is played for Thanksgiving anymore, but there are a few songs...

For the past 10 years I was teaching the neighborhood kids and every December I hosted a Christmas piano party/recital in my home. That of course meant that I had to get my kids started on learning some Christmas music in October. Therefore, I was pretty tired of the music by the time Christmas came around and so I hardly felt like playing any myself. I’m hoping that will change this year now that I’m not teaching anymore. Christmas for me is really a very holy time and I play Christmas music (real Christmas music) to honor Jesus Christ and my Christian upbringing and not to get into all the commercialism. Plus, I hope that God will be listening and then forgive me for all the stupid things I do throughout the rest of the year….

I do like ‘creepy’ music a lot though! I was going to record something perfect for Halloween this week but it’s not going to happen now. You’re right about there not being that much Thanksgiving music to play. I usually open my Methodist hymnal and play hymns such as “For the Beauty of the Earth”, “We Gather Together”, and “Faith of our Fathers”. I really love to sing them too!

@Eddy - I forgot to tell you 'thanks' for putting the trunk on your nice Christmas tree!

p.s. things in life can change so quickly - we should somehow take more time to 'stop and smell the roses'. Or in this case, take time to find whatever it is that helps to ground or center you - like playing religious music to remind you what is important or even just settle your nerves.

YES Play Bach Chorales, it works a treat

That part I do hear you on, especially for one song in particular. I may get a little tired of Carol of the Bells after working on it in 2 choirs, but oh well. (I used to like that song.)



Agreed.

I've not played the Bach Chorales, might just have to do that. I've only played a Partita and an invention.

There is the collection from the people of "sheet music magazine":

http://books.google.com/books?id=ucZSwzjnq2kC

There is also the reader's digest version here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=E8U6AQAAIAAJ

I have a relative who has the entire collection of readers digest piano books. Some of the arrangements leave a bit to be desired, but for the most part I think its not what you play but how you play it (especially since some of the songs are really nice in themselves and don't need much in terms of arranging.) I have heard some really nice performances from these relatively simple arrangements.

Awesome, Thank you.
I'll have to check into this.