Origins: How an American magazine helped launch one of Britain’s favourite Christmas carols
MAURA IVES, a scholar of British poet Christina Rossetti, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation – at how ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ became one of the most popular Christmas carols…
Health Insight: ‘Tis the season to be jolly – singing Christmas carols together isn’t just a tradition, it’s also good for you
In an article first published on The Conversation, WENDY HARGREAVES and MELISSA FORBES, of the University of Southern Queensland, say group singing engages many beneficial biological, psychological, behavioural and social processes…
Conversations: Australian family entertainer Colin Buchanan talks Christmas
As he launches into a new national tour of Christmas concerts, DAVID ADAMS speaks to Colin Buchanan about what people can expect, the power of Christmas carols, and the part of the Christmas story that’s really resonating with him at the moment…
Christmas classic ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ has a renewed life as part of Church of England campaign
UK Almost 150 years after Christina Rossetii wrote In the Bleak Midwinter, it has become a music sensation, heading up the UK iTunes Classical Charts. This well-loved carol forms the centrepiece of the Church of England’s Advent and Christmas campaign #AtTheHeartOfChristmas encouraging people to hear the Christmas story through their local church. The soundtrack is a […]
Australian churches preparing to spread the message of Jesus’ birth with music and events
Sydney, Australia Churches across Australia will host a variety of concerts and activities ahead of traditional Christmas services this year, as a nation weary from COVID-19 restrictions celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Hobart’s Anglican St David’s Cathedral in the island state of Tasmania, will host two performances of Handel’s Messiah with an orchestra, choir […]
New podcast ‘Hark!’ explores the stories behind the most beloved Christmas carols
RNS Mary, did you know…how that perennially divisive song got made about you? Many people don’t know the stories behind their favorite Christmas carols, it turns out. PICTURE: Mario Mendez/Unsplash/Creative Commons That’s where Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols comes in. The new podcast produced by Jesuit-owned America Media and hosted by Maggi Van Dorn explores […]
José Feliciano celebrates 50 years of ‘Feliz Navidad’
Los AngelesAP José Feliciano is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his bilingual Christmas classic Feliz Navidad by releasing a new version featuring Jason Mraz, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shaggy and more. Pop balladeer Michael Bolton, Latin boy band CNCO, country duo Big & Rich, and Mexican singer and actress Patricia Manterola are among the 30 acts who […]