As the holidays settle upon us, it's pretty difficult to escape the endless playing of holiday music. While our beloved classics surely warm the heart and incite nostalgia, there's no harm in mixing it up every once in a while. Here are a few beautiful choral pieces that will add some variety to your holiday playlist.
1. "The Winter's Night" -- Nicholas Myers
Does the song directly pertain to anything about the holidays? Not really. Will it make you cry like a baby anyway? Probably.
2. "Christ the Appletree" -- Stanford Scriven
Regardless of your religious beliefs, I think that this song speaks to a human desire for hope and happiness. The luscious harmonies don't hurt either.
3. "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming" -- Michael Praetorious
I'm a sucker for imagery and metaphors, and this song uses both to tell the Christmas story. When my love for poetry and love for music overlap, I'm one happy girl.
4. "Breath of Heaven" -- Amy Grant
Again with the crying. Grab tissues, folks.
5. "Betelehemu" -- Traditional Folk Song
Incorporating music from other cultures into my holiday playlist has given me a greater appreciation for the universality of the values of expectation and compassion we celebrate around this time of year. Plus, this song is literally one of the most fun to listen to (and sing) on the face of the earth.
6. "Some Children See Him" -- Alfred Burt
You can't do the holidays without a song about children. Period.
7. "Lux Aurumque" -- Eric Whitacre
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a former chorus student simply does not compile a list of choral favorites without at least one reference to the renowned Eric Whitacre. Although this song isn't typically viewed as a holiday piece, its Latin lyrics actually translate to, "Light, warm and heavy as pure gold, and angels sing softly to the new-born babe." I promise you'll have chills when it's all said and done.
8. "Hear my Prayer" -- Moses Hogan
Although this song is appropriate during any time of the year, it rings especially true during a season when we give special attention to not only the issues of pain and suffering that plague our world, but also the light that we can find in the midst of darkness.
As we face a unique set of challenges this holiday season, I hope these songs will encourage you to be a part of something bigger than yourself and strive for the greater good.
