Expressions through Music from many traditions in Recital past Saturday afternoon

Music Recital: Expressions of Music

Students of Karen Yonkers
Saturday, December 14, 2019
1:30 pm
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church


Expressions of Music includes ways that makes us special and unique. Just by virtue of being human and living in community provides platforms for expression. Composers write music to express their feelings and thoughts in an artistic way. Sometimes they write for a certain occasion or as a tribute to a certain person. Performers present music using artistic expression. Music is also tied to our own traditions and cultural influences. Today, we will hear from a variety of these traditions and influences. 

My definition of music: vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce melodic and harmonic beauty of form.


Student
Influences for Expression

Noah
Good King Wenceslas: heard during Christmas time, the poem and traditional music actually stem from St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) and tell of generosity of the King and his encouraging words to his page (helper) while they trudge through a snow storm. 

Analithia
Away in a Manger: This familiar Carol tells the story of Baby Jesus, born in the stall because there was no room in the inn. 

Henry
Dreidel Song: This tune is a traditional Hanukkah song. The Jewish spinning toy game is popular during this winter holiday.

Levi
The First Noel. The word Noel is an early English synonym of Christmas. The lyrics reflect the birth of Jesus, the star, the angels and the shepherds. Pere Noel is Father Christmas in France.

Kate
The Christmas tree is found in many homes around the world. People of many backgrounds enjoy this festive greenery (even artificial greenery) during the winter holiday. Germany is credited with the origin of this tradition.

Selah
A family holiday tradition  in American and Europe includes the story of the Nutcracker, a ballet written by Tchaikovsky in 1892. 

Jacob
British homes are decorated with Holly and Ivy during the Christmas season. 

Churchwells
The Hanukkah Song recounts Jewish traditions of candles, dreidel, latkes and dancing.

McKenna
Silent Night, written in Austria 1819 to be accompanied by guitar, as the story goes, the organ wasn’t working for the Christmas Eve service. 

Sojourn
Another holiday  at this time of year is Kwanzaa: Honoring African American values, gift-giving and lighting lights.

Perry
Feliz Navidad, by Jose Feliciano,  reflects the spirit of Spanish speaking wishes for a happy christmas and prosperous new year. 

Ariston
Mele Kalikimaka is the Hawaiian Christmas greeting.
Robert Frost poem about a snowy night are expressed in music here by Vera Kistler

Gabriel
Charlie Brown Christmas is another family holiday tradition. Linus and Lucy song 

Grace
Bells! Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells, Sleigh Bells! Ringing bells express happiness.

Owen
Here in Grand Rapids, Tran Siberian Orchestra is a much-anticipated part of the Winter Season. Wizards in Winter


Thank you for coming to our support music students. Assistance in cleaning up appreciated today. Next week, we begin winter break. Lessons will resume the week of January 6th. Session Three recital, entitled “Ensembles in Music” will be held Saturday, February 15. An essential aspect of music education, performing with others, will be developed. 

For lessons, event music or questions: 
Karen Yonkers (616) 648-3011 
KarenYonkersMusic.com