By Brad Benoit
I will have to be completely honest and say that Christmas is not my favorite time of the year. That is mostly because of how loooong the season has extended and also because consumerism has kicked Santa out of the sleigh and taken the reigns. I will admit though that what I love about the Christmas season is the music and the parties with family and friends.
As a pianist, the extended season of Christmas has been somewhat of a blessing because I use the long season as an excuse to start practicing Christmas music starting October 1st! Christmas music has been always been interesting to me because this single holiday has inspired such a variety and history of music. Music so specific to a single time in the year, that it actually does feel out of place any other time of the year. Music that is also so unique and happiness-inspiring that nearly every person who grew up with Christmas has songs or albums that must be heard during this annual season about the joys in life.
After the music, the other joy of the season for me is the partaaayzz! One of my favorite days of the year and hopefully for many more years to come is December 24th. I love the tradition of going to church at dusk and then heading to the annual Christmas party with my mother’s side of the family. I am fortunate to still have most of my family living in the area and I always feel lucky to have family that are also wonderful friends.
Even though there are aspects of the Christmas season that I do not love, like all facets of life, there is always the balance of good and bad. I wish nothing but joy to everyone during this time of year. It really is a time of year to let go of everything that may be chipping away at one’s shoulder and just be a child again. No matter what Santa is actually still driving the sleigh and bringing a day (or couple months) of gifts, joy and partaaayz!
Being at the piano is exactly where I like to be this time of year and it has been a real pleasure to be the music man for Acting Out’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life!
Providing mood music, writing jingles and sharing a song of joy are exactly what this season is about and it great to have a local company present a classic Christmas story in a classic way.
Merry Christmas!