It's that time of year, where snow is falling, Christmas lights are up, and students are ripping their own hair out over finals! Here is a fun playlist of some of my favorite Christmas songs by my favorite singers. Enjoy, and keep up the good work!
Nothing gets me in the mood for Christmas like Michale Buble's Christmas CD, especially this very first song on the album. Even though over here in wWstern Washington it does not look a lot like Christmas (no snow), this song always makes me feel like it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Everyone knows the Nutcracker! When you think of the Nutcracker, you probably think of the famous "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" piece, but I encourage you to listen to the whole ballet suite, because every single piece in this suite is an absolute gem.
This may not come to mind immediately when one thinks of Christmas songs, but this is on the new Pentatonix Christmas album and it is truly incredible to listen to. The emotion and beauty in this rendition of "Hallelujah" is undeniable -- give it a listen.
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs because it has a unique message: that the kindness and compassion that Christmas brings out in so many people should not only be acted on during the Christmas season, but all the time. Bless you Clay, I will never forget this album! If nothing else skip to around 3:28 and let the most glorious key change blow your mind.
I'm a sucker for a choral a Capella piece that gives me shivers. This is also just such a beautiful Christmas carol, I absolutely love listening to every Christmas, and the singer does such a nice job, singing like a complete angel. :)
The Polar Express is one of my favorite Christmas movies ever, partially because of this one song. First of all, Josh Groban is obviously amazing, and the song itself is beautiful and makes us all reminisce about our childhoods and the magic of Christmas-time.
I actually used to really not like this song, because I always would hear the version with all the kids singing it and it was too catchy and just kind of annoyingly repetitive. But Idina Menzel made a really cool version of it that highlights her vocal ability and makes the song more interesting.
OK I'm SORRY I just had to put another Michael Buble one on here, because his Christmas CD is the Christmas CD to end all other Christmas CDs. Obviously, you should listen to the Elvis version first because Elvis is awesome, but this version is just so much fun and has some amazing trumpet work in it.
No explanation needed -- incredibly applicable to finals.
Looking for a little bit more of a Jazzy Christmas? Look no further than the Charlie Brown Christmas album. So fun to listen to while studying, cleaning or packing!
If you need some pump-up music for decking your halls this is your song.
Though watching them pluck strings with their hands and destroy cello bows gives me a fair amount of anxiety, I really enjoy the Piano Guys' rendition of this classic Christmas carol.
And finally, a shameless plug to last year's Christmas Invitation concert at my very own PLU! Enjoy some embarrassingly close shots of my face, and some beautiful music-making with my lovely colleagues from last year.
