Music and the Holidays

Here we are halfway through December, only a week from Christmas.  How did it sneak up on us this fast?  I had thought this was the perfect time of year to start a blog about violins and music because Christmas and music seem to go together so the content would write itself.  But it hasn't written itself.  First the website took longer than expected to get up and then there were some glitches to work out, all to be expected.  But throw in two young kids and the inevitable illnesses (okay mostly mine) and here we are a week from the big day.  So I apologize that I have already missed lots of the great concerts that Ottawa has to offer this holiday season but hope that some of you got a chance to enjoy some of them.

There is always such a variety of concert offerings this time of year, from the traditional to something a little different.  On the more traditional side, The Chamber Players of Canada's annual show is still to come on Tuesday December 22 at 8pm.  And there's A Canadian Tenors Christmas with the NAC Orchestra tonight December 16 at 7:00 pm.  Also at the NAC is Stuart MacLean – A Vinyl Café Christmas and A Christmas Carol both this weekend.  And let's not forget the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Scotiabank Place also on December 22 at 4pm and 8pm.  And in support of a the Ottawa Youth Orchestra Italy 2011 Tour there's Christmas in Many Lands with Kristina Slodki and Natasha Chander on December 19 at 2:30pm.  And don't forget all the school Christmas concerts and recitals this time of year!  We love to see people young and old playing.

On the less traditional side of things the NAC is presenting Shen Yun Performing Arts with a Live Orchestra and all-new 2011 program from December 23-26 at 7:30pm.  Or how about Legally Blonde, The Musical? It's also at the NAC December 28 – January 2.  Or Broken Social Scene tomorrow at the Bronson Center?

If you're still looking for more ideas check out this Ottawa Citizen story which has a very complete looking list of concerts in Ottawa and the valley, including some still to come.

I am looking forward to starting musical holiday traditions once the kids are a little older.  Do you have musical holiday traditions?  Have you seen any concerts this holiday season? Do you plan to?

-K.A.