Christmas Memories
The making of
I began working on this project on January 1, 2011. I had no idea where to begin or how I would make this become a reality, but I knew that I had to try. So, I took it one step at a time. First I picked out some songs that I thought I would like on my cd. Then I began to arrange them one by one and decide how I wanted them to go. I recorded the piano part and then the voice part. I then began adding other instruments until I got the sound I wanted. I believe I started from scratch re-recording each song at least three times. Each time I would figure out timimg and phrasing better and have to start over, so I could make it fit together better. I was privileged enough to go on a Christmas Concert Tour last year with Erica Lane and she was able to introduce me to Nolan Livesay who works in California doing film scoring. He is amazing and was able to orchestrate two songs for me and his collegue did a third for me. Other than those three songs, I recorded these ar home on my own equipment. That was a challenge in itself because I have more of a performance setup than a recording setup. Slowly, my friend Danny and I were able to figure out how to get the best recorded sound out of my equipment. So many people helped me along the way and I have learned so much through this huge undertaking. Now I can't wait to get started on my next project; my original music!
Somewhere in My Memory – Home Alone Soundtrack
I just love this song and wanted it to be the opening number of my Christmas album. I love the moment in Home Alone where Kevin realizes that maybe being alone for Christmas isn't as great as he originally thought it would be. He begins to realize how much his family really means to him. I have been blessed with a rather large family, at least several large branches of extended family, and I love being with them all for the holidays. Nolan Livesay orchestrated this wonderful arrangement for me.
​
What Child is This – Public Domain
I have always loved this song. I am intrigued with how this song has been interpreted over the years. I love it and wanted to make this song unique to me and my style. I think I have done that and I love how this one turned out.
​
Angels We Have Heard on High – Public Domain
This was inspired by a performance I was privileged to give at Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Oratorio Chorus. I started singing the song a capella before being joined by the entire choir at the chorus. I am in love with the “angel” I added near the end of the song!
​
Carol of the Bells – Public Domain
I have loved playing Carol of the Bells since I was an advanced enough pianist to play it. I love the drama in this song. It can be soft and slow or big and moving. This song HAD to be included in my album!
​
O Come O Come Emmanuel – Public Domain
This is THE reason that I wanted to do a Christmas album. I love this song so much. I love the harmony that I can do with it. I always knew this would, without a doubt, be included in my album. Strangely, I had the most trouble with this song. I worked it and reworked it. I scrapped what I had done and started over quite a few times. I am very happy with the outcome of this song, but I think I won't ever be quite done with this one!
​
Marshmallow World – Carl Sigman/Peter De Rose
I fell in love with this song while on a Christmas tour with Erica Lane. It was such a fun, easy-going song. I think it lightens the mood of my album just where I need it.
Of The Father's Love Begotten – Public Domain
I also fell in love with this song while performing with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Oratorio Chorus. It is an old 13th Century plainsong. This song was orchestrated for me by Andrew Van Vlear. He did the most wonderful job capturing exactly what I wanted this song to be. His orchestrations are beautiful and it flows and progresses right where I want it. I couldn't be happier with this song!
​
Away in a Manger/Hymne – Public Domain/Vangelis Used with permission
I have always loved Hymne. I first learned it straight from my Ultimate Christmas Collection book when I would play it at the country club where I would perform every Sunday. I just love these two songs together.
​
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Going to school at the University of North Texas you make friends in the music department with many players of a variety of instruments. My best friend at North Texas was married to a classical guitar major and that is when I fell in love with classical guitar! It just doesn't get more homey and cozy than classical guitar. I love the feel of the song and am so happy to include this one on my album. I also love the “angel” singing in the distance near the end of this one!
​
O Holy Night – D. S. Dwight/Adolphe Adam
This is the song where I really get to stretch my vocal folds and let it all go. I love the huge drama of this song. This is an amazingly written song, and Nolan Livesay was able to orchestrate an amazing arrangement of it for me. This is the song that I am the most excited for you to hear! I really get to sing on this song. I believe that this IS my favorite Christmas song.
​
I Saw Three Ships/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Edmund H Sears/Richard S Willis
This song was inspired by my Irish heritage and my best friend, Celeste Brinkman. I was stumped as to what to do with this song and Celeste came to my rescue recommending her former band leader Mark Shelton. Mark came over and played the Bohdran and the Hammered Dulcimer for me. Then Celeste recorded the wonderful violin parts for it. I love how fun this song turned out!
​
Silent Night – Joseph Mohr/Franz Gruber
I was playing around with this song one night and just loved how simple and unsophisticated this one turned out. This was inspired by Erica Lane's version that she did on her Christmas concert tour. I love this easy, gentle lullaby to end my album with.