Deck the Halls... with music!

We saw a full range of potential on the weekend, from the young pretwinklers, to trying teenagers and even still to the incredible role models of the parents (performing and not!). Everyone showed they're abilities and love of music on Sunday and it was a joy to watch. 

December will be over and done with before we know it, but while we're here, take advantage of the spirit of the holidays and continue to motivate playing and practice. Here are a few ways to continue to make music an important part of your families lifestyle...

Sing Christmas carols together

Play review pieces or Christmas tunes to family and friends

Play a duet with a friend

Have advent calendars that only get opened on the days that you practice

Share your music with grandma and grandpa and even take your violin to retirement/nursing homes

Teach a friend how to play Jingle Bells

Put an ornament on the tree or a decoration out in the house for every repetition of a practice spot

Make a recording and send it to family members who live far away

Provide background music to a Christmas party

Make Christmas paper chains for every day practiced or every repetition

Play at a talent show or for your class at school

Play for family members or friends over Skype

This is my mom, me on fiddlebox and my older brother Scott on cello.
The months coming up to Christmas consisted of making tape recordings
of us playing our instruments to send to our Grandparents for Christmas.
Not only were these cherished by our Grandparents, but they are a keepsake of
our journey through music. On Christmas Eve, we would all gather in the dining
room and play Christmas songs for each other. It's never to late to start new
'musical' Christmas traditions!

Once again, our Christmas Ceilidh is on Monday December 16th 5-6. I will be asking everyone next week who is available to attend, who has a Christmas treat they can bring, and if anyone has a Christmas tune, Fiddle tune or anything they might like to play or share with the group.

For those who are in the fiddle group Haggis Stew, our annual Robbie Burns performance is on Saturday January 25th in the evening. So mark you calendars and stay tuned for rehearsal dates.