History of Christmas Carols...

The answer to yesterday's Carol Quiz is 'The Christmas Song' (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).

Robert Wells wrote the words and 21 year-old Mel Torme wrote the music and recorded it in 1946. But Nat "King" Cole's version that year was the big hit, and remained Nat's Top 10 personal repertoire thereafter.


History of Christmas Carols...

This Christmas Carol was published in 1954 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. Styne and Cahn had written a string of hits for Frank Sinatra and Sinatra asked them to write a Christmas song to sing. They were a little reluctant to write one because Bing Crosby just had the mega hit: 'White Christmas.' What they came up with was a waltz.

NAME THAT CHRISTMAS CAROL.

History of Christmas Carols...

The answer to yesterday's Carol Quiz is 'The Christmas Song' (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).

Robert Wells wrote the words and 21 year-old Mel Torme wrote the music and recorded it in 1946. But Nat "King" Cole's version that year was the big hit, and remained Nat's Top 10 personal repertoire thereafter.

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS...

This popular Christmas Carol was inspired on Robert Wells' birthday as he noticed vendors selling bags of warm chestnuts along the street just before Christmas. He took all his thoughts and memories of 'Christmas-time' and wrote the words to a poem he called: 'Thoughts of Christmas.'
He took the poem to his friend, Mel Torme, who wrote the music and recorded this classic Christmas Carol in 1946.
NAME THAT CHRISTMAS CAROL...

History of Toys...

What child's toy was invented by Johann Maelzel in 1820 and then became hugely successful by a state-of-the-art improvement by Thomas Edison in 1887?

The Pilgrims...

On the south side of the Rotunda in the United States Capitol Building is a painting titled The Embarkation of the Pilgrims.

The painting depicts the deck of the ship as it departs from Holland for the New World in 1620. Look, and you will see that the pilgrims are praying. A rainbow rises on the left side of the painting, symbolizing hope and divine protection.

Protestant pilgrims are shown on the deck of the ship Speedwell before their departure for the New World from Delft Haven, Holland, on July 22, 1620. William Brewster, holding the Bible, and pastor John Robinson lead Governor Carver, William Bradford, Miles Standish, and their families in prayer. The prominence of women and children suggests the importance of the family in the community. At the left side of the painting is a rainbow, which symbolizes hope and divine protection.
Weir (1803–1890) had studied art in Italy and taught art at the military academy at West Point.
The dimensions of this oil painting on canvas are 365.76 cm by 548.64 cm (144.00 in by 216.00 in).

Chorus jokes...

What's the definition of an optimist?
A choir director with a mortgage.

What's the difference between a puppy and a choir director?
Eventually the puppy stops whining.

Why are choir conductor's hearts so coveted for transplants?
They've had so little use.

What's the difference between a choir conductor and a sack of fertilizer?
The sack.

What's the difference between God and a choir conductor?
God knows He's not a choir conductor.

History of the Hymns...

'Blessed Assurance'...

Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 hymns and used more than 200 pen names. Under contract to a music publisher, she wrote 3 new hymns each week during much of her adult life. The fact that she was blind didn't diminish her productivity. She would formulate an entire song in her mind and then dictate it to a friend or secretary.

Phoebe Palmer Knapp, wife of the founder of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, composed a tune in 1873 and brought it to Crosby in Brooklyn. "Play it for me on the organ," Crosby asked. Knapp did and then asked, "What does this tune say?" She turned to see Crosby kneeling in prayer. Knapp played it a second time and then a third. Then the blind woman responded: "That says, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!"
This hymn was sung in the 1985 Academy Award winning movie; 'Trip to Bountiful.'

Today's Funny...

Preparing for a family vacation, Kathy and Matt explained to their young children that they would be sitting in the car for a very long time. The kids were told they would not be arriving at their destination until after dark, and were warned not to keep saying, "Are we there yet?"

After a few minutes of peaceful driving, four year old Rachel perked up, "Is it dark yet?"

History of the hymns...

'Abide With Me' (1847) Henry F. Lyte/William H. Monk

Lyte was inspired to write this hymn as he was dying of tuberculosis; he finished it the Sunday he gave his farewell sermon in the parish he served so many years.

In his farewell sermon he said: "O bretheren, I stand here among you today, as alive from the dead, if I may hope to impress it upon you, and induce you to prepare for that solemn hour which must come to all, by a timely acquaintance with the dead of Christ."

The next day, he left for Italy to regain his health. He didn't make it, though ... he died in Nice, France, three weeks after writing those words.

~Cyberhymnal

Holy Humor...

Angelic Assistance?

An old-time pastor was riding furiously down the road, hurrying to get to church on time. Suddenly, his horse stumbled and threw him to the ground.

Lying in the dirt, his body wracked with pain, the pastor called out, “All you angels in heaven, help me get up on my horse!”

With extraordinary strength, he leaped onto the horse’s back—and fell off the other side.

From the ground again, he called out, “All right, just half of you angels this time!”
~ Beliefnet

Thank you!

The Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Chorus would like to thank its many donors and friends who help make our performances possible. Without your continuing support we would be unable to consistently provide high-quality musical programs for the benefit of the community.

We are especially grateful to the Town of Sheridan, Willow Creek Winery and the communities of Cattaraugus, Silver Creek, Gowanda and Cattaraugus.

No less important for the life of the chorus has been the long-term and on-going commitment of the friends and members of the chorus itself, who have given so enthusiastically of their time, energy, dedication, and, of course, their voices.

Thank you all very much!

Bud, Betty and Lisa

Sheridan/Cattaraugus Chorus...

The Sheridan/Cattaraugus Community Chorus has been presenting great choral music and musicals for our great community and beyond for over six years. The Chorus continues to grow in quality and artistry with every performance.

With its powerful performances The Chorus has attracted varied and enthusiastic audiences and talent, and has collaborated with other community organizations and high school choruses. The Chorus provides unmatched choral experiences in the region.

The Chorus provides opportunities for local musicians to perform quality, challenging music in various venues.

No auditions are necessary.

For further information contact Bud @ tubamanbud@gmail.com