VIRTUAL ACTIVITY GUIDE
MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR GEORGE WYLE (1916-2003) AND EDWARD POLA (1907-2005) This song talks about many of the fun activities you can do during this time of year, from toasting marshmallows to caroling in the snow. It was originally released in the 1960s and has become a traditional Christmas song since then. Dance along with this upbeat piece. MAKE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY CARDS Teach your kid(s) to share the Christmas cheer with friends and family by making one of these delightful DIY holidays cards. From handprint and footprint cards to cotton swab painting, there are so many cute options that your little one(s) will love making and loved ones will delight in receiving.
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN JACK ROLLINS (1906-1973) AND STEVE NELSON (1907-1981) Frosty the Snowman was written in 1950, a year after Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song premiered to great success. The songwriters were trying to create another popular Christmas hit and they definitely succeeded! Sing along with the music. SNOWMAN MASK Make a fun Frosty the Snowman mask – you can wear it as you sing along to this piece in the performance. The materials can be flexible based on what you have (No construction paper? Just color regular computer paper instead) and little ones will love pretending to be Frosty after the finish their mask.
MARCH FROM THE NUTCRACKER PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) March is another famous piece from The Nutcracker ballet. In the ballet, March occurs during a lively party scene as people dance and celebrate around a Christmas tree. March along as you listen to the music. MUSICAL MATH A march is music that is in two – it has two beats per measure. Explore the mathematical side of music even further with this STEAM composition activity. Children can practice their addition and subtraction while creating their own unique musical compositions.
MI BURRITO SABANERO HUGO BLACO (1940-2015) Mi Burrito Sabanero is a Venezuelan Christmas song that is popular around Latin America. The title translates to “The Little Donkey from the Savannah.” It has been recorded by many famous singers since it was written 50 years ago. Pretend to play maracas along with the music. SWEET TREATS Papitas de leche is the perfect Venezuelan dessert for young ones to help make. The recipe calls for just 3 ingredients and they don’t even need to be baked – you just mix the ingredients using a large spoon or by kneading with your hands. Use food coloring to dye them red and green for Christmas – these “milk truffles” are sure to be a star at your holiday table.
TROIKA FROM LIEUTENANT KIJÉ SERGEI PROKOFIEV 1891-1953 Troika is from an old movie called Lieutenant Kijé but has become a popular piece performed on its own, usually at Christmas time. A Troika is a Russian three-horse sled, and you can hear the steady and fast movement of the sled through the winter snow as you listen to this piece. Imagine you’re riding on a speeding sled as you listen to this piece. TROMBONE SCIENCE In the performance, we’ll be featuring the brass family during this piece. Learn about more about how the trombone makes its sound with this water trombone experiment from Deceptively Educational. It’s a simple experiment with just a few materials that combines science and musicmaking and helps children explore high and low sounds.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER JOHNNY MARKS (1909-1985) All of Santa's reindeer, except for Rudolph, first appeared in "’Twas the Night Before Christmas," written in 1823. Rudolph wasn’t created until 1939. Johnny Marks wrote this famous song based on the story of Rudolph 10 years later in 1949. Sing along with the musicians. ALPHABET FUN Work on letter recognition in a festive way with this R-shaped Rudolph craft from Crafty Morning. Kids will love tracing their hands to make antlers! Keep the holiday phonics going with older kids and try to think of holiday themed words that start with every letter of the alphabet. For example, D-Decorations, E-Elves, F-Fruitcake, etc.
TOYLAND FROM BABES IN TOYLAND VICTOR HERBERT (1859-1924) AND GLEN MACDONOUGH (1870-1924) Toyland is a song originally from the Babes in Toyland Disney movie. It is a dreamy piece of music about the wonders and delights of childhood. You’ll hear an arrangement performed by the harp. Pretend to fall asleep and dream about your own magical toyland. LEARN ABOUT THE HARP In the program, this piece features the harp. Make your own harp using this great tutorial from Felt Magnet. Then check out our online coloring page where you can turn yourself into a harp player!
FIVE DAYS OF INSTRUMENTS ARR. DAN LEAVITT, CONDUCTOR WITH INSIDE THE ORCHESTRA This piece is based off the traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas” tune that was originally written as a rhyme without music in 1780. In our orchestra version, you’ll hear the instruments and sounds that the five days of music bring to us. Watch and learn to conduct and then conduct along during this piece. LEARN TO CONDUCT Learn to conduct with this activity guide from our online activity guide database. Learn about finding the beat in music, follow-along with conductor Dan in a conducting how-to video, and practice along with our special playlist. Everyone can be a conductor!
LET IT SNOW SAMMY CAHN (1913-1993) AND JULE STYN (1905-1994) Like so many other Christmas hits, this piece was written during a heatwave as the composers imagined cooler weather. Since the music doesn’t actually mention the holidays and just talks about cold, snowy weather, this piece is sometimes played in the Southern Hemisphere during their winter months of June, July, and August. Dance along like snowflakes during this piece. SNOWFLAKE CROWN Make this snowflake crown to wear during the performance. You can cut it out from the Christmas Tiny Tots activity book or print it out online here. Put it on and dance around like a happy snowflake while you listen to the music.
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY FROM THE NUTCRACKER PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker is one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous pieces and one of the most popular ballets of all time. It is most performed from November through December during the holidays as is tells the story of a little girl at Christmas. We’ll be joined by a dancer from Ballet Ariel during this piece. EXPLORE THE WOODWIND FAMILY In the program, this piece of music features the four main instruments of the woodwind family. Learn more about the woodwind family with this explorable and interactive online game. Click the instruments to hear their sounds, learn facts, and then play a game to match each instrument with its sound.
JINGLE BELL JAMES LORD PIERPONT (1822-1893) This piece was written by James Pierpont in the 1850s. It is said that he was inspired by horsedrawn 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. JINGLE BELL EXPERIMENT This jingle bell science experiment from Modern Preschool is a great way for young learners to start engaging in the scientific process. They will get to learn about floating, sinking, and water density all in one active package. Experiment further by using larger or smaller jingle bells, changing the liquid in the cup, or more.
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS This is an English Christmas tune that was made popular after a 1935 recording but may date originally back to the 1800s. That recording originally said, “I wish you a merry Christmas.” Pretend to pick up a violin or other string instrument and play along with this piece. EXPLORE THE STRING FAMILY Explore the string family with this online interactive platform. Hear the sounds of each instrument and learn interesting facts as you click and explore the main string instruments of the orchestra.
THE CHRISTMAS SONG ROBERT WELLS (1922-1998) AND MEL TORMÉ (1925-1999) This song was actually written on a blistering hot summer day. Robert Wells started listing out wintery things to help him get into the mood to write a Christmas song and those became the opening lyrics. Our guest from Central City Opera will join us again for this piece. SING ALONG Inspired by the Central City Opera singer that joined us for this piece? Use this holiday karaoke playlist (including The Christmas Song as you heard in the program) to sing along to your heart’s content at home.
SLEIGH RIDE LEROY ANDERSON (1908-1975) Just like The Christmas Song, Leroy Anderson started writing this piece on a sunny, hot July day! You’ll hear galloping violins, horse neighs, and sleigh bells from the percussion section. Play your jingle bells along with this piece. DIY SLEIGH BELLS Make your own sleigh bell shaker to play along with the music during this piece. This tutorial from Love Your Littles is great fine-motor practice for young ones as they string jingle bells onto pipe cleaners and wrap them around a popsicle stick (or, really, any small stick will work). Once you’re done, play your sleigh bell shakers along with any holiday piece – you’d be surprised at how many have a part for sleigh bells!
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