October 1st arrived and I was busy typing up some research for the FLCM I am working towards, teaching, developing my programme and getting ready for the next OU course (an M.Ed.) and I decided it was time to compile a Christmas carol book for my piano students. The stories behind the carols are very interesting and, to me, as important as the carols however this year there is not enough time for the stories, this year it is the music. I have selected a set of twenty-five firm favourites that I have taught to my students over the years, one for each day of advent. Additionally there are a few firm favourites that while not carols are essential Christmas repertoire.
The full list is as follows
12 Days of Christmas
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Auld Lang Syne
Away in a manger
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
Gaudete
Go Tell it On the Mountain
God rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Good King Wenceslas
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
I Saw Thee Ships
In Dulci Jubilo
In the Bleak Mid Winter
Jingle Bells
Joy to the World
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh Christmas Tree
Once in Royal Davids City
Pat a Pan
Silent Night
Sussex Carol
The Coventry Carol
The First Noel
The Holly and the Ivy
We Three Kings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
While Shepherds Watched
While researching these carols I have found some tremendous websites, fascinating historical documents and superb stories which will allow me to develop a Carol Storybook for another year.
As always, from the first edition there are some amendments. For customers who purchased the first edition these are the corrected pages.
The Holly and the Ivy. Anacrusis added,
We Three Kings. Full version so the page can be affixed to cover the page turn
Auld Lang Syne. Full version so the page can be affixed to cover the page turn.
While Shepherds Watched. The correct words included.
All the amendments in one file
The list of reference sites I have located can be found below. I have not included any links so please cut and paste the links as required.
Reference list
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BBC School Radio. (n.d.). The Story of ‘Silent Night’. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/assemblies-ks1-the-story-of-silent-night-christmas-carol/zrjpxbk [Accessed 4 Oct. 2023].
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Classic FM. (2020f). What are the lyrics to ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’, and what’s the story? [online] Available at: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/while-shepherds-watched-their-flocks-carol-lyrics/ [Accessed 4 Oct. 2023].
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