Guess What Makes Great Reindeer Hooves?

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reindeer-hooves-castanets-sound-effectsCastanets!  I realized this on Friday as I was planning the music activities for my church’s annual Breakfast With Santa event, and then I wondered how I hadn’t thought of it earlier.  Rhythm sticks have always been my go-to instrument for reindeer hooves, but not anymore.

There are lots of castanets out there to choose from, but my personal favorites are these plastic beauties from Musician’s Friend.  At 99 cents, they’re easily replaceable and sound great (if a little loud).  Mine have held up extremely well; my students are not easy on instruments, but I haven’t had one castanet casualty yet!

Last year’s Breakfast at Santa music activities were fun (read about them here), but the castanets made this year’s even better.  I always stick with a reindeer theme, so we sang classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Up on the Housetop” along with Listen & Learn originals, like Do You Hear the Reindeer? and The Other Eight Reindeer.

Have you experimented with holiday sound effects?  Maybe you have an even better suggestion for reindeer hooves…if so, please do tell.  There are plenty more school days left to fill before holiday break begins!

Friday Fave: They’re Baaaack!

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holiday children's musicThe holidays, that is.  Even though we’re still a couple weeks away from Thanksgiving, the first signs of Christmas are popping up everywhere  — and I’m not complaining!  The truth of the matter is that I love the holidays, and I actually get excited when I see the first Christmas-themed television commercial of the season.   My family (well, minus my husband) finds it completely acceptable to break out the sounds of the season (like these, these, and these) at the beginning of November.

But don’t worry; I keep my Christmas tunes to myself (car and iPod only!) until the day after Thanksgiving.  This is especially important since I work with children who can only take so much holiday-induced excitement at one time.  I’ll stick with Ten Little Turkeys, the Turkey Dinner Dance, and Thankful for a few more weeks :)

After all, I’m super excited about Thanksgiving, too.  Spending time with my family, eating a delicious meal, and being reminded of just how much I have for which to be thankful?  Yes, please.

I am curious, though…am I the only one who is already humming The Christmas Waltz, Home for the Holidays, and the like?  Say it ain’t so!

Merry Karaoke: Home for the Holidays

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That is how our first holiday in our first home looked. It was certainly a white Christmas, and I was hoping to take a similar picture of our new home this year, as we get ready to celebrate our first Christmas in it. Unfortunately, we’ve only had a tiny bit of snow, and it is currently raining cats and dogs, so maybe I’ll get one later in the week.

No matter what the weather, I’m just glad to be staying home for the holidays! I feel very lucky that both of our families are nearby, which means we get to see everyone without having to drive long distances or get on an airplane. And that is why I decided that for today’s “Merry Karaoke” song should reflect this sentiment:

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays,
For no matter how far away you roam –
When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze,
For the holidays – you can’t beat home, sweet home!

I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie;
From Pennsylvania folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore;
From Atlantic to Pacific –
Gee, the traffic is terrific!

CHORUS

I met a man who lives in Tennessee and he was headin’ for
Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie;
From Pennsylvania folks are travelin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore;
From Atlantic to Pacific –
Gee, the traffic is terrific!

CHORUS

What are your plans for the holidays? Will you be staying home, or traveling to see friends and family? No matter what you’re doing, I hope your week is safe, fun, and full of cheer. Today is my first official day of vacation, and I am off to bake cookies. I’ll be back with at least one more installment of “Merry Karaoke” before the week is through…see you again soon!

Merry Karaoke!

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There’s nothing like a little snow and an early Christmas celebration with family to put you in the holiday spirit. As we drove home from my in-laws’ house this afternoon, all I could think about was singing along to some of my favorite Christmas songs, and that is just what I did. In fact, I went one step further by recording one of them, karaoke-style. Cheesy? Yes…but tons of fun! I’ve told you before how much I love the Carpenter’s Christmas Portrait album (remember?) so you shouldn’t be surprised that the song I chose is from that very collection.

Frosted windowpanes,
Candles gleaming inside.
Painted candy canes on the trees.
Santa’s on his way,
He’s filled his sleigh with things.
Things for me and for you.

It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love.
Every song you hear seems to say,
Merry Christmas,
May your New Year dreams come true.
And this song of mine,
In three quarter time,
Wishes you and yours
The same thing, too.

Be on the lookout for one or two more installments of “Merry Karaoke” before the big day, which is quickly approaching! I had a chance to catch up on holiday preparations this weekends – not only did I finally finish my shopping, but I also did all of my wrapping. Cookies is next on the list, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I’m off to curl up on the couch and watch my favorite holiday movie, White Christmas. So long for now!

‘Tis the Season for Singalongs

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One of my favorite traditions at The Hope Institute is gathering all of the students and staff for an all-school holiday singalong. We really go all out: our Hope House Band (comprised of me on guitar and vocals with three other members on guitar, drums, and bass) sets up, we pass out song packets with lyrics to all the classes, and we even invite students to perform special roles in the festivities.

This year, one of our senior classrooms has been creating their own visuals to accompany songs for each month, and December is no exception. We have been having so much fun using their creative materials for Ten Twinkling Trees and The Other Eight Reindeer that now, they are going to add their artistic talents to tomorrow’s singalong.

The class worked together to make signs for each of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, which they will hold up in the air at the appropriate times in front of the entire school when we sing the tune tomorrow. I think the staff members are more nervous than the students, to tell you the truth! We rehearsed this morning, and I know everyone will be impressed.

Singing seasonal carols is my favorite way to get into the holiday spirit, and I know I’m not the only one. I love hearing coworkers and children singing Christmas songs in the hallway outside of my office throughout the day, and next week I will be leading one of my classes as we surprise other rooms with a song or two. How does your school get into the holiday spirit? Do you put on a special program or concert? I know that many schools are not allowed to celebrate religious holidays…if this is your case, do you celebrate the season in an alternative manner? Please take a moment to share!