I have been asked to play for an hour and a half at a nursing home's Christmas party in the beginning of December! (5th)
I have been told that it doesn't have to be anything extravagant - just nice background Christmas music.
I am scared ****less Im not going to lie, but if I start now, everything will be fine.
Im sure that a lot of Christmas songs are free domain.. and I am lacking Christmas songs. Can someone point me to some downloads?
I am currently studying RCM LV8 piano, but I'd much prefer to play something lower than that.
I can spice up simpler music, and dumb down harder music.
Any tips? Im a way Im very excited - a way to redeem myself from some past horrific events.
Thank you everyone!
here are a couple of sites that may be useful for Christmas music - I can send you some arrangements I have done for students also if that would help.
Good luck happy Christmas and have fun!!
http://www.noelnoelnoel.com/leadsht/shtmx.html http://www.music-scores.com/christmas/composer.php http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/Christmas.html http://www.mfiles.co.uk/other-christmas.htm
Reader's Digest does publish a wonderful book of Christmas music for piano-vocal. I think you can find it on Amazon.com. The piano arrangements are actually quite decent. The book is spiral bound and well worth the money. I bought it for my daughters last year, and they spent the entire holiday season messing around with it. I can play most of what's in the book by ear, but if you can't, buy it.
No matter what you do, please keep it simple. It's a nursing home. The people want to hear familiar tunes. Don't shy away from hymns and other religious songs. These are old folks. They grew up in church, and that's what will make them feel good. And that's the point of the exercise. If they feel good, you should feel good, even if what you play is incredibly easy for you.
I've done "gigs" like this every year for around 30 years, and I love it. It's a very low cost/benefit ratio, because I know the Christmas pieces so well, I just take a list of songs along so I won't forget to play something obvious, and then I just go with the flow.
Good luck, and enjoy.
Thanks for that information wdot, I will keep that in mind. I think that some of my songs, will be very easy, because those are the most recognizable.
Mikenz, thanks for the links! My house is in the Christmas spirit November 1st, so I'll be needed to play lots and lots of Christmas tunes starting then.
If you don't mind, those arrangements would be wonderful to have!
Many thanks to you both.
Don't forget to check out your local public library! They usually have tons of easy Christmas music books.
Best luck,
sleepy
Here is a website full of arrangements by Sally DeFord. I've only played a couple of her pieces, but I've listened to many recordings, and they're really good!