Celebrating Winter Through Music in Loudoun County
Music is a prominent element of holidays worldwide, bringing continuity, joy, and tradition to the present. Below are some of the holidays celebrated by Loudoun County residents with historic commentary on the origins of such holiday music.
Christmas Christmas carols may have originated as early as the fourth century C.E. as Latin hymns in churches, overtaking pagan hymns sung as celebrations of the winter solstice with the rise of the Christian Church. While most of the most famous carols are from the 19th century, there are still some, such as “O magnum mysterium,” that are still popular in churches. Carollers became commonplace around the 18th century and still sing for passersby today. Enjoy caroling at Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon, Christmas in Middleburg, and at a number of Holiday Events in Leesburg. 18
