Q&A
O Christmas treat
High school music director sings praises of the sounds of the season
What would the holiday season be without music? It would be just long lines and fruitcake. Luckily, the holiday season has a tradition of festive music that spans cultures and transcends generations, from old-world folk songs to Eartha Kitt (or Madonna, for that matter) singing “Santa Baby.” So on the topic of seasonal sounds, we quizzed maestro John Evans, Half Moon Bay High School’s longtime music teacher, for his insight on all things jing-jing—jing-a-ling… — Charles Russo So what kind of holiday music do you perform with the students during the Christmas season?
We don’t do a Christmas concert, per se. But our band concert is Dec. 7 and we always do a few holiday songs. I start pulling them out for the students to learn … in early November, and the kids don’t take long to figure them out. Last year we did Fireside Christmas, which includes “Rudolph” and “Frosty,” “Home for Christmas,” and “Winter Wonderland.” A lot of what we do is usually based on medleys. In the case of the Hanukkah songs we did last year, it was a medley of – “Hanukkah Hanukkah,” “Maoz Tzur” and “Mi Y’Malel.” Do you have any favorite holiday music from over the years?
One that I really do like a lot is an English one, “The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol.” It’s a composition that you don’t hear very often; it’s based on an old English folk song. And that’s one of my favorites. It’s interesting, really, because every country has a different approach and a different sound and a different feel for the holidays. In Russia, you’re going to hear a sad sort of music (even though Russians are a happy-when-they’re-crying type of people). If you go to Germany or England, you’re not going to hear something like “Jingle Bells” or “White Christmas.” Even though, if you look at where these Christmas carols come from, they’re from all over the globe. (Flipping through a book of traditional Christmas songs:) “The 10 December 2011 HMB
First Noel” is French, “Deck the Halls” is Welsh, “O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree)” is German, of course. So you can see how every country has a different style, shape, and color to how they celebrate the holidays. On the other hand, what’s your least favorite holiday song, is there a jingle that drives you crazy?
I guess I’ve reached the point that the popular songs are all kind of pedantic to me. I hear them and then I just let them spill out of my head. Christmas caroling is a really old holiday tradition that you don’t see as much anymore. What do you do with the students in that regard?
Our choir still goes caroling every year. We go around the school and sing on the last day before the holidays. And this year, we’ll also get dressed up to sing at the lighting in the harbor. Last December we sang at Sam’s Chowder House. We’ve done it at Oceano (Hotel and Spa) before, the Women’s Club and Mezza Luna. We’ve been doing it for years. I’m not saying we’re keeping the tradition alive, but it’s good for the kids. They like doing it and it exposes them to a part of our culture. So, in general, what quality do you think this type of music brings to the holidays?
Well … hopefully it brings back good memories, joy and happiness. How can you not be happy singing “Jingle Bells” and having a cup or two of egg nog with your pals? The majority of holiday music has a happy message. The end of the year is a time for all of the festivals and the old year becoming the New Year … it’s a time of change, and so it’s a bit sentimental. Oh, one last question – who would you rather hear sing “Blue Christmas,” Elvis or Johnny Cash?
Well … I like Johnny Cash better than Elvis. Although, Bing Crosby was famous for “White Christmas” and I think Sinatra would have done a nice job on “Blue Christmas” too, but I’ll go with Johnny Cash.