December 2024 – Music Moments

I’ll admit it – I’m one of those slightly (ok, VERY) Christmas-obsessed individuals. We have strict rules in our house – holiday music is forbidden until the last bite of pie has been consumed at the end of the Thanksgiving dinner. We spend the next couple of days making our house look as festive as festive can be! And, after months of eager anticiation, the hills are alive with the sound of (Christmas) music.

As a music teacher and choir director, I will openly admit that I use my job as an excuse to bend the rules and sneak Christmas music early! Sometimes I just have to listen to it to plan ahead. I swear! But I do actually love the joy in the waiting and the anticipation. The whole season feels magical, full of light and beauty.

December Music Activities

One of my favorite things to do in class is share music of different cultures and holidays (and then find the commonalities we all share). Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all have some shared components – time with family, friends, delicious food and candlelight! And, of course, we sing about some of that in December Holidays.

Yes, this season is beautiful and sacred for many, but we also spend A LOT of December singing ridiculously fun and silly songs. We sing all things winter such as when We’re Sledding. Or we turn into snowmen with our snowman version of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (Hat, Scarf Buttons, and Twigs), and we enjoy some songs using Little Kiddos Music printables like during Five Little Snowmen Standing in a Row. This is just the tip of the ICEberg (get it?!) when it comes to our list of songs and activities for December. We, of course, dance and play tons of instruments (and yes, jingle bells).

So, what is it about the music of December that feels so magical and nogalstic? I’d argue that one of the key components is the emotion wrapped up in the music!

My listening suggestions for this month may homage to certain holidays and also emcompass the ability to play with our emotions.

FOR EARS OF ALL AGES:

Christmas
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole, to me, is the musical embodiment of nostalgia and sentimentality. The very first moments: just two chords, then take a deep breath during the swell and crescendo of strings and slowly release it as the strings slide back down. This is my life hack during the sometimes manic, busy stress of the holidays. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. And just try to focus on the joy throughout the season. Fun fact about this song: it was written by Mel Torme (a Jewish singer). Torme later collaborated with a lyricist (Robert Wells – also Jewish) to come up with this Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire version.

Is it possible to get through December without listening to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite? Sure, it’s possible, but why wouldn’t you listen to it? Even if you’re not one to celebrate Christmas or be a fan of ballet, the score is delicious and has so many varied musical themes throughout!

I absolutely love the joyous and sweet sounds of a children’s choir and this recording of the New London Children’s Choir performing Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin by Judith Shatin is no exception. Named for the four Hebrew letters on a dreidel, this piece is as fun and quick as the game can be!

See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes is George Frideric Handel’s musical storytelling of the triumph of the Jewish people in the First Book of Maccabees. One doesn’t have to listen long before you feel the pride, joy and exultant victory. It’s also not hard to hear some similarities – or to at least feel – the same elation when listening to his Hallelujah Chorus. Though written for Good Friday and Easter, it is often associated with Christmas. By the late 19th Century, his Messiah began to be regularly performed in December in the United States.

Umoja is the Swahili word for Unity and is the first principle celebrated (and marked with the lighting of a candle) during Kwanzaa. The piece Umani by Valerie Coleman and performed by Imani Winds is beautiful and hope-filled. May you find peace and feelings of unity during whatever you celebrate in December!

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Jingle Bell Magnetic Tubes is a great STEAM activity shared by www.happytoddlerplaytime.com. And, of course, when you’re done science-ing with the bells, turn them into jingle bells for doing a few of our favorite jingle bell songs at home. I Heard a Little Jingle, Snowflake Ditty with Bells, and Jinglin’ Here.

Have an engineering competition! Who can build the tallest or most stable tower made with candy canes, graham crackers and marshmallows. (And then eat it…?!)

Or build a festive catapult!