The Christmas Choir Program

If this blog is to document the things going on in my life and the life of my family - I must post about my involvement with the choir Christmas program. I am the choir director in my ward and recently, much of my time and energy has been spent planning and preparing for the Christmas program. First of all, let me say that I have really enjoyed being the choir director. I was the choir director in my ward about 10 years ago and to be perfectly honest, I was kind of dreading doing it again, but it has truly been delightful! I really enjoy working with the choir members (including my husband and daughter) and of course, the beautiful music.

The Christmas program has been a lot of work for me and the choir but I am really excited about it. We are mostly prepared but we still have a couple of rehearsals so hopefully things will come together even more. I really hope it brings a nice spirit to the meeting - the program will also include a string quartet and a children's ensemble. I thought I would list the songs we are doing - for future reference and also for anyone else that might be interested.

Good Christian Men Rejoice/Oh Come Let Us Adore Him - "Good Christian Men..." is a really lively song that I have always loved and this arrangement includes the melody against "Oh come let us adore him" from "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." It is very nice and the sheet music can be downloaded from this cool website http://www.ldsmusicsource.com/ . You can print off as many copies as you want and then purchase stickers that are mailed to you to put on each piece of music. It is a great deal and very easy! You can hear the accompaniment to this song here.

Men's Chorus Christmas Medley - Men only. I listened to this first at http://www.jackmanmusic.com/. This includes parts of two of my favorite Christmas songs, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I really enjoy a good men's ensemble - and although it was a bit ambitious - I felt like our men could pull it off. So far so good! You can listen to a sound clip here.

Immanuel, Immanuel - Women only. My father-in-law introduced me to this website that allows for free sheet music downloads (love that!): http://www.defordmusic.com/. I searched through their Christmas music and found this piece. We are singing it with harmony but you can hear it sung as a solo here.

Silent Night - The accompaniment is from a Hymplicity book. Cello plays the melody for a verse, child solo first verse, choir second verse (string quartet joins in here), choir and congregation third verse.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem - child's ensemble.

Angels We Have Heard on High - choir and string quartet. This arrangment is basically the same as the hymn - but with some tricky embellishments with the parts. Fun to sing.

Once Again, a Child - This piece would probably be difficult to find but definitely worth the search. It is really beautiful with different harmonies than we are used to.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

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Speaking of Christmas music - I would highly recommend Jenny Oaks Baker new CD "O Holy Night." We heard her play these pieces with the Utah Valley Symphony and since I went to elementary school with her, I decided I should buy a CD during intermission and have her autograph it. We have loved listening to it at home. It looks like you can listen to some of it from her website. Check it out! It's lovely!!