Happy Holidays Everyone!!

With colored lights shining brightly on many homes and trees, to parties with family and friends, the atmosphere of many people shopping and spreading holiday cheer, Christmas time is my favorite time of year.  I have many fond memories growing up and spending the holidays basking in the glow of it's wonder as well as listening and playing it's music. This year is no exception. Even though it has been a rough two years, I am still caught up in the magic that makes this time of year special and I always look forward to the next year with hope.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas tunes and I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas!!

Who Is Mario Lanza?

When I was growing up during the holidays, my family and I would always play Christmas music in our house. Not only did my sister, brother and myself play Christmas carols on our instruments, we also had Christmas music playing on the radio, cassette tape and vinyl record players as well. One of our favorite holiday recordings was a record of Mario Lanza singing Hymns and Christmas Carols. From the gorgeous majestic sound of the Horn section introducing the opening song, Joy To The World, to the awe inspiring version of O Holy Night, it had become an annual family tradition.

Who is Mario Lanza? American singer, actor  Mario Lanza was one of the most famous operatic tenors of the 1940's and 1950's. He was born  Alfredo Arnold Cocozza to Italian immigrants and changed his name when he signed to the movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM for short) in 1947. He was discovered by  Louis B. Mayer when he heard Lanza perform at the Hollywood Bowl and was impressed by his singing. After signing with MGM, Lanza played the role of Pinkerton in Puccini's Madam Butterfly in New Orleans in 1948, In 1949, he appeared in his first movie,  That Midnight Kiss with Kathryn Grayson and Ethel Barrymore. In 1950, he appeared in another movie, The  Toast of New Orleans that featured his first million-selling hit Be My Love. Lanza also had the opportunity to play his singing idol Enrico Caruso the following year in the movie The Great Caruso.

His final millionth selling song, Because You're Mine, was actually a title song for his next film and it received an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Even though his singing career was a success, Mario Lanza suffered from addictions to both food and alcohol while filming his movies. These addictions had an adverse affect on his health, relationships with directors, producers and, occasionally, other cast members. He was known as an individual who was ambitious, rebellious and tough. However, we went on to in three more films before dying of a pulmonary embolism at age 38. By the time of his death he was known as the most famous tenor in the world.

Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed

One of the most favorite band music compositions of all time is a piece called "Russian Christmas Music" composed by American band composer Alfred Reed. Even though the piece of music is very Russian in it's melodies and harmonies, it is not a Russian piece technically. Reed was commissioned to write a so called "Russian" piece for a concert in Denver Colorado to improve American Soviet relations. Russian Christmas Music premiered on December 12, 1944, on nationally-broadcast NBC radio. It is performed today by brass bands, wind ensembles, orchestras, marching bands and drum and bugle corps.

Performed as though it is in one movement, Russian Christmas music has 4 different sections that include Carol of the Little Russian Children (based on a 16th century Russian Christmas carol), The Antiphonal Chant, The Village Song and The Cathedral Chorus.

Looking to buy Russian Christmas Music for your band or orchestra? Click on any of the links below!

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Russian Christmas Music By Alfred Reed (1921-2005). Concert Band. Concert Band. Classic Band. Christmas; Multicultural; Winter. Grade 5. Conductor Score. 44 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.FXB219C) (2) ...more info

Russian Christmas Music: Score By Alfred Reed (1921-2005). For Concert Band. Instructional. Score. 44 pages. Published by Alfred Music - Digital Sheet Music (AX.00-PR-0002349) ...more info

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Russian Christmas Music By Alfred Reed (1921-2005). Orchestra. Full Orchestra. Pop Concert Full Orchestra. Christmas; Multicultural; Winter. Grade 3.5. Conductor Score & Parts. 390 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.FXG106) ...more info

A Tribute to Alfred Reed By College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble. By Alfred Reed (1921-2005). For wind ensemble. Mark Masters. Classical. Audio CD. Duration 79:21. Published by Mark Custom Music (MK.3712-MCD) ...more info