Yes, It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like...

You fill in the blank. It’s interesting how one particular event/feeling/moment is what really makes it feel like a certain time of year. For me, I feel like the Christmas “season” officially starts with the Farandole from Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite. It seems to be the traditional opener for our Celebration of Christmas concert every year.

Last night, I arrived at Maryland Hall a bit frazzled after a long day of work, driving 20 miles away to an office party in the rain, and then back down to Annapolis in rainy traffic…having a conversation with my mom on the way. I was a true “Bag Lady” as well when I walked in the door with 4 bags, an umbrella, and my water bottle. I managed to rehearse a bit, gather the proper colored undergarments that I had forgotten to bring along (black looks terrible under white!), change clothes, brighten my dead complexion with a little make-up, and get downstairs to line-up.

I was still breathing hard by the time we got on the stage, and was wondering if this was going to be another one of those Christmas Concerts that go on forever. But, as soon as I heard the beginning of the Farandole, my fuzzy brain realized, “It’s Christmas!”. Suddenly, I felt my mood brighten, and that elusive smile started to creep onto my face. As the evening went on, things that normally would annoy me just amused me. The night ended with a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells/O Come All Ye Faithful, complete with a dancing usher in the doorway. I was laughing so hard that I’m surprised I didn’t snort onstage!

Anyway, it’s always nice when the silly drama of rehearsal is over and everything is just fun, easy and pleasant…not that last night wasn’t without its own drama…but compared to Christmases past…it was a walk in the park.

I guess the next “Christmas Moment” is going to be the first chord of the Overture to Messiah…that’s always an “It’s Christmas!” moment for me as well.

It's Christmas in Annapolis

Embodied in singing with my friends. I'm reading a book right now called This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. That's a good name for this activity. I have had discussions, granted with other musicians, about how weird it really is to be doing this thing we call performing. This time of year its a 24/7 sort of committment.

What does it do for us? My friend from across the hallway at work came in saying, "I just haven't heard enough Christmas Music to be in the spirit!" I told her she should join a chorus - since November it's been Christmas for us. There is a pleasure I take in giving others the pleasure of listening to well-carols. You see them smile and relax for just a second.

It binds me closer to the reason for the celebration - the birth of Our Lord. YAY! Lord we greet thee. . .okay, I took some liberality with the wording.

A part of me feels useful, justified, needed. . .that co-dependent part that still rears its head and needs feeding.

In the simplest part of me, though, it's about just simply loving what I do so much that I couldn't imagine not doing it ever. . . this is your brain on music - a human obsession!

Merry Christmas
Fa la la la la