Family Christmas Concert

Last year, we didn't do our family Christmas Concert for two main reasons: first, we were traveling the week before we traditionally have our concert and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to pull it off; second, the house we moved into last year has a smaller living room and I didn't think we could fit very many people in for our audience.

As I thought about it this year, though, I decided we could have seating for a decent-sized audience if we got creative.  At the beginning of November I asked the kids if they'd like to do a family Christmas Concert this year and they immediately said yes.  Cat and Eliza set to work making invitations before any of us could change our minds.

Rehearsals ensued.

Ben was recruited to play trumpet again, but the poor guy was out of shape and was also
traveling a lot in the weeks leading up to the concert.  He was a trooper and practiced when he
could, and did a great job with Cat in the performance.

The kids enjoyed having access to the trumpet.
It's a good thing we don't live in an apartment...

Luke has been asking to take piano lessons and when Cat asked him if he'd like to play
a piece in our concert, he agreed!  They worked together for a few weeks and did a great job.

And as soon as Thanksgiving was over, we started prepping the house.  (One of the fringe benefits of the concert is that it forces me to put up decorations right away, since we always have it the Monday evening after Thanksgiving.)

100% posed.

Me: "This is going to end badly."

And finally, the big day arrived!  We didn't have quite as many people as we expected, but it was still a good turnout, with friends and neighbors in the orchestra level (living room), mezzanine (kitchen), and balcony (the hallway that looks down on the kitchen and living room).

 This was our program:


Angels We Have Heard on High

Everyone invited to sing; acc. by Cat

Carol of the Bells

Jack and Eliza, piano duet

Trepak

Eliza and Jack, piano duet

The First Noel + Pachabel's Canon

Brett, voice and guitar

O Come, O Come Emmanuel + Moonlight Sonata

Cat, piano solo

Could I Hold the Baby

Cat, Jack, and Eliza, acc. by Brett

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Luke and Cat, piano duet

Jingle Bells

Ben and Cat, trumpet and piano

Feliz Navidad

Luke, feat. Miller Ensemble (acc. by Brett)

We definitely could have used some more rehearsal time but it still went pretty well and our audience seemed to enjoy it, so I consider it a success.  We love this little tradition, sharing music and Christmas cheer.