A Winter Concert Without Christmas Songs

[grinningghost]

Went to my DD's Winter Concert at school yesterday. I know the world is PC crazy, but it was pretty sad not to hear any Christmas songs. No, wait, I lied, there was ONE. Everything else was very un-holidayish. Theme from "The Patriot", "Heatwave", that type of thing.

I must be way too traditional.

 

[Cruise04]

Thus part of the reason I am very proud to have my child in a catholic school. Not trying to start a debate.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Cruise04
Thus part of the reason I am very proud to have my child in a catholic school. Not trying to start a debate.

No debate necessary - I can totally understand your thinking.

 

[Cruise04]

It's a religion issue I think which is very sad.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

At my younger daughter's concert earlier this week, the chorus sang two Christmas songs, a Hannukah song and a Kwanzza song.

Older daughter's concert is next week. tehy're not singing holiday songs. This group did holiday songs last December.

The emphasis in our school is multiculturalism, and we take an "all or nothing" approach to the winter holidays.

 

[SeaSpray]

We went to DS12's winter band concert at school last night. It's a public school. There was MOSTLY holiday songs; Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and some wintery type songs as well. Personally I enjoyed the winter songs better than the holiday songs since we don't celebrate any of the above holidays. However, all of the children did an excellent job and it was evident they worked hard to put on a great performance

 

[Disney Doll]

We just went to a Winter Concert for my goddaughter, and it was the same thing. The funny thing was, while they sang no Christmas songs, they did sing "The Dreidel Song". I have no problem with multi-culturalism, but singing
"The Dreidel Song" without singing any Chrstmas or Kwanzaa songs isn't really multi-cultural either.

 

[tlgoblue]

My DD's School Holiday concert was still loaded with the Post 9/11 line up. Don't get me wrong. Our area has been hit hard by the war, and so many of our brave young men and women are away from home, in harms way, and we all want to recognise that. I just have trouble with images of war being conjured at the time of year when PEACE among men is supposed to be the prevailing sentiment. OK. Ready for the Flames.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by tlgoblue
My DD's School Holiday concert was still loaded with the Post 9/11 line up. Don't get me wrong. Our area has been hit hard by the war, and so many of our brave young men and women are away from home, in harms way, and we all want to recognise that. I just have trouble with images of war being conjured at the time of year when PEACE among men is supposed to be the prevailing sentiment. OK. Ready for the Flames.

No flames here. I completely support our troops and still feel very patriotic, but you're right, Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and joy, and we would all be better off if we tried to feel that way, if only for one month of the year.

 

[caitycaity]

here's another option -- why don't you try talking to the choir director.

in my school choir, we only did one or two holiday songs at the winter concert b/c they were songs we were practicing the entire semester. who wants to be learning all christmas/holiday songs in september or october? so it might not even be "pc-run amok" like you think.

talk to the choir director. even if it is because of being pc, at least you can register your complaint.

 

[Cruise04]

I like the multicultural songs being added. Wish our school did more of that. The band did play Shenandoah and WOW!!!! For not a very large band they did an awesome job!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Last week DD#1 had a 6th grade band concert and DD#2 had her school program. Both had songs like "up on the housetop,", "we are santa's elves,"etc.--Christmas type songs, but none with religion involved per say (I.e. Silent Night, Away in a Manger, etc.)
Robin M.

 

[Disney Ella]

I think they could certainly have a few songs representing everyone's holiday, otherwise why bother having the concert in December when everyone is so busy.

A former boss was Jewish and had gone to a school that was about 80% Jewish. Yet every year they would have a Christmas pageant, sing Christmas songs and renact the whole religious Christmas Story. I asked her if any of the parents complained about their children participating, since there was no reference to Hannukah at all in the pageant, and she said, "Oh no, we liked doing it. We looked forward to it every year. I love all the Christmas songs."

I can't imagine that happening today. (Not that it should; everyone should feel represented, but I just found it amusing that all these kids were happily up there singing the songs.)

 

[Banzai]

I am still mad that in 8th grade we were not alowed to sing "Grandma got Run Over By A Reindeer" because it says beer in it once!

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

In my daughters' middle school, the students taking performing music (band, orchestra or chorus) are required to appear in two concerts every year as part of their there are actually 3 winter concerts. One group of students performed this week, one group will perform next week and the last group will perform in January. there will also be three separate spring concerts.

The concerts must be scheduled so that they do not conflict with the winter concerts beeing done at any of the other schools in our district. the concerts cannot conflict whith a variety of other activities at the various schools.

Just because a concert is scheduled in December does not make it a "holiday" concert.

 

[Pin Wizard]

No, you're not too traditional. The dang world is too PC! Their PCness is invading my right to enjoy a Christmas Concert!

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

You want a "Christmas concert", I can find a dozen places where you can hear one. Churches, theaters, parks, private school -- but not in public school.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

just got word from my brother: the winter concer got canned due to state football being this weekend(the concert would have been Sunday and the HS team's making its debut at state this year)

 

[accomp]

It's truly sad how political correctness has taken over. I'm thankful for the private Christian school that my son attends, but wish that it were not this way in public schools. It is not illegal to perform religious songs in this country, but it seems that many schools are afraid and have eliminated them altogether.

 

[Keli]

I like to hear patriotic music at christmas programs. I realize that Christmas is a time to celebrate peace on earth, goodwill to men but I think we can do that and still give honor to those that aren't with us during these celebrations because they are serving our country. But then I've always like patriotic christmas ornaments too. Maybe I look at this differently than others.