Merry Chris...I mean Happy Holidays

Like I said in my earlier post, I'm part of an ensemble that sings Christmas Carols throughout the winter season. Different octets of the 22 person strong ensemble are hired to sing around the local Hackney's for two hours almost every day for the two weeks leading up to Christmas. When we're hired, we sing for an hour, take a 10 minute break, then sing for another 50 minutes. Afterwards we get free food for singing, and we get TIPS! But we're told that they would rather us say "Happy Holidays" after singing instead of "Merry Christmas" because then it appeals to more people and not just Christians.
So alright, that makes sense. I mean we don't live in an 100% Christian community and I'm all for being politically correct, but then I thought about all the songs we sing. We only know and sing one Hanukkah song and the other thirty something songs are all Christmas related songs. How come we are advised not to say Merry Christmas when we can sing it to them in 3 various and different ways before walking away? Why is singing "Merry Christmas" advised and encouraged and paid for, but I can't say it someone in passing?
So should I be upset or annoyed about this? Probably not, just because I'm still getting paid to do something I love. But it definitely is something to think about.

Bonnets and Hoop-skirts

At school, I'm in an extra-curricular singing ensemble, that has a huge focus on Christmas Music. There are twenty-two of us and throughout the winter/Christmas season we are hired at local restaurants, country clubs and parties to carol and entertain. When I first heard I was going to be in the group, I couldn't stop singing all my favorite Christmas songs...in June. But that's really not my favorite part about the ensemble.

My favorite part about being in Chambers (the ensemble), is that although we strive to sound perfect and mature, we are also hired to entertain. And so when I see my conductor put a lot of emphasis on smiling and cheeriness while singing, I know I'm in a truly amazing ensemble. Lots of times we sing for children, and we have an array of sing-a-long tunes that talk about Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. The girls wear bonnets and hoop-skirts and the boys wear top hats and tailed jackets to look like the old fashion. So seeing the children's faces light up and, if anything, be curious about who we are and what we're singing is amazing.

How often do children care if the harmonies are tight and the arrangements complex? All I cared about when I was little was that Santa was Comin' to Town and all these older kids were telling me so. So much of singing and Holiday cheer is just about bringing a smile to people's faces. Sure I'll be embarrassed if I start on the wrong note and get my harmonies messed up, but any serious singer would feel that way even though I know people won't notice.

At what point do people learn to let go a little and let the pure joy of just singing and dressing up take over. I'm glad I get to see this come to life every time we "Wassail" in and out of the local Hackney's restaurant. It's not everyday you see an octet of teenagers in hoop-skirts.