CHRISTMAS 2018 Pre-Program Packet
We’re so excited to be celebrating another holiday season with you! We hope you’re ready for a morning packed full of holiday spirit at Tiny Tots this weekend. Not only will you get to dance and sing along with a concert filled with your favorite Christmas music, but you’ll get to explore a whole winter wonderland before and after the concert. Get ready to take silly pictures at the DIY photobooth, decorate tot-sized felt Christmas trees, and create holiday memories at one of our craft stations. And, if you’d like to take pictures with Santa there are still spots left, but make sure you reserve your spot online here before they fill up. This program packet will give you a sneak peek into the music you’ll hear at the concert as well as the interactive elements. You’ll also find do-at-home activities for each piece of music so that you can keep the festive fun going at home. Any images or text that is underlined in bold red font contain links you can click. Please note, for many of these pieces we will only be playing excerpts and not the entire piece. Tiny Tots music selection is subject to change and pieces may be skipped based on the timing of the program. We can’t wait to share a musical morning of holiday cheer with your family!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Sara Hare
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas At the Concert: This piece will get you into the festive mood at the start of the concert and will feature our brass section.
At Home: Bring the festive spirit to all corners of your home by making one of these creative garlands. There are super simple pipe cleaner garlands all the way up to strung cinnamon garlands – you’ll find something for kids of all ages to get hands on!
Christmas Canon You’ll have to wait to come to the concert to hear this piece, it’s a special arrangement you can’t find online! At the Concert: This piece, arranged by our conductor, blends Pachelbel's famous Canon in D with a number of Christmas carols. It will feature the string section - and kids will pretend to play the violin.
At Home: Violin is one of the most popular first instruments kids learn how to play. This article will help you gain some insight as to whether or not your little one might be ready to start violin lessons. And in the meantime, you can have them jam out on one of these DIY cardboard violins.
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer At the Concert: All of Santa's reindeer, except for Rudolph, first appeared in "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," written in 1823, but Rudolph wasn’t created until 1939. Johnny Marks wrote this famous song based on the story of Rudolph 10 years later in 1949. You’ll get to sing along with the orchestra.
At Home: There are so many ways to bring Rudolph and his shiny nose into your Christmas fun, but what better way to do it than with some snacks? Use this tutorial to pack some cute Rudolph applesauce tubs in your kiddos lunch bag or learn how to make some adorable pretzel treats, red nose and all.
Christmas in the Kitchen This is another piece you’ll have to wait until the concert to hear! At the Concert: We’ll combine holiday favorites with some everyday kitchen items: pots and pans and water glasses. This results in a silly piece that shows kids they can make music with whatever they have available. Kids can tap on the things around them to make music and then watch as we feature the percussion section during this piece.
At Home: Go ahead! Let you little one pull out the pots and pans when you get home to make their own music. Read up on how this benefits their learning and development.
Carol of the Bells At the Concert: This Christmas carol is based on the Ukrainian folk chant "Shchedryk" and was adapted into a full carol by a Ukranian composer. It has been widely adapted to many different ensembles and instruments. You’ll listen along to this piece to hear the sounds of Christmas bells.
At Home: Make these easy DIY christmas bells out egg cartons and pipe cleaners while you listen to this version of Carol of the Bells featuring a bell choir amongst hundreds of performers.
Jingle Bells At the Concert: This piece was written by James Pierpont in the 1850s. It is said he was inspired by horse-drawn sleigh races that were a tradition in a town where he lived. Fun fact: this was the first piece performed in outer space! Have fun singing along with the orchestra.
At Home: Visit this website to choose from 35 different fun jingle bell activities and crafts, from fine motor trays, to science activities, to ornament DIYs, and more.
The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers and Trepak At the Concert: Even though the Nutcracker is one of the most famous ballets today, it was not very popular until the 1960s (and it was written in 1892). Kiddos can show us their best dance moves and watch as dancers from Kim Robards Dance join the orchestra.
At Home: Sit down with your family and enjoy a fully staged Nutcracker performance by the San Francisco ballet. And then leading up to Christmas, check out these 12 days of Nutcracker crafts and activities.
March of the Toys At the Concert: This piece was written for the operetta (mini-opera) Babes in Toyland. When the operetta was turned into a movie by Laurel and Hardy in 1934, this was one of the only original songs to make it in.
At Home: The movie March of the Toys is about real toys and fairy tale characters come to life. And nowadays, so many of us have our own tricky toy who springs to life each night: Elf on the Shelf. If you’re like me, you could always use more Elf on the Shelf ideas, so check out this page for some inspiration!
Christmas Waltz At the Concert: This piece was written for the famous Frank Sinatra in 1954. A waltz is a piece of music with 3 beats per measure. You can sway back and forth to the beat, teaching the kiddos what a waltz feels like.
At Home: Listen as the singer sings about “painted candy canes on the tree.” At home, make your own painted candy canes using shaving cream and food coloring to hang around your house.
Polar Express At the Concert: The Polar Express soundtrack, from the movie premiered in 2004, is the bestselling holiday movie soundtrack ever written. During the concert, hop about your trains and chug along during this piece.
At Home: Create a Christmas keepsake train using your little’s hands and feet, inspired by the Polar Express itself.
Mi Burrito Sabanero At the Concert: Mi Burrito Sabanero, The Little Donkey from the Savannah, is a Christmas song from Venezuela that is very popular in Latin American countries. Listen as we feature the woodwind section at the beginning of this piece.
At Home: Many cultures and countries have different festive celebrations at this time of year. Visit this wonderful website full of videos to help kids learn about how Christmas is celebrated around the world and find out more about other holidays that are celebrated.
Frosty the Snowman At the Concert: Frosty the Snowman was written in 1950, a year after Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer premiered to great success. The songwriters were trying to create another popular Christmas hit and they definitely succeeded! Sing along with the orchestra.
At Home: Building snowman is such a fun way for kids to get hands-on with the winter weather, but as we know in sunny Colorado the snow doesn’t always last for long! You can create a snowman felt board to bring the snowmen indoors!
All I want for Christmas is You At the Concert: Not only is this piece the #1 most streamed holiday song in the US, but it is also the top-selling Christmas song of all time! Sing and dance along during this piece.
At Home: Watch this fun version of this piece using only toy instruments – your kids may be inspired to make some music of their own!
Sleigh Ride At the concert: Though it's one of the most famous orchestra holiday songs ever, Leroy Anderson actually started writing this piece in a sunny, hot July! Throughout the piece, listen to galloping horses from the percussion section and their neighing sounds from the trumpets. Welcome Santa on stage to conduct!
At Home: Is there anything cuter than these sleigh-riding teddy bear snacks?? I think not!