Ways for Musicians to Give Back During the Holiday Season
It’s that Most Wonderful Time of the year! As December kicks off and we gear up to start a new year, consider giving the gift of sharing music during the holiday season – it requires some preparation, and a little sacrifice, but there are ample opportunities to bring a little light and joy during a busy and stressful time.
Look for opportunities to share your music by volunteering for your local church services during the holidays. This is a great opportunity to get out there and perform, and many churches expand their musical repertoire to include more instrumentation, add extra services filled with seasonal music, and are often looking and grateful for skilled young musicians!
Donate old or unused instruments to programs that distribute them in the local or global community – CSM is allied with George Mason University’s Instruments in the Attic program and the Global Orphan Project. Both organizations make it their goal to get instruments into the hands of students and teachers who can put them to use making music again!
Ring some bells! Even those with limited musical skills can ring in the season by signing up for a shift ringing bells with the Salvation Army – www.salvationarmy.org has the info you need to find your local chapter and sign up to collect change (and make some joyful noise!). If you’re here in Loudoun County you can go straight to this link: www.signupgenius.com/tabs/43072D707A3CFE5C53-bell
Organize some holiday music with fellow students and take it to your local community! Give your town the delight of an impromptu performance flash-mob style in local parks or gathering places. Call a local nursing home or hospice centers to see if the residents could use some holiday cheer. Organize holiday carols around your neighborhood!
In the rush and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by a sense of seasonal obligation – taking a little time out to refocus on connecting with others through music can help make the season more uplifting.
