SYMPHONY TREAT
Anna Jacyszyn tells us what the Okanagan Symphony is doing for Christmas
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra has been hard at work, releasing, through their Facebook page, a daily digital gift of music under the banner of “12 days of Christmas.”
Each day until Jan. 1, the OSO will feature a piece of music introduced and explained by conductor Rosemary Thomson for all of us to revel and enjoy.
The series started on Monday and already I feel inspired by the magical musical choices as well as the quality of the musicianship.
Starting in February with only 22 members of the orchestra on stage, the OSO will start a new YouTube series, introduced by Thomson and executive director Geraldine Parent. It’ll be on the OSO’s Facebook page as well.
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We all know the song 12 Days of Christmas and for most of us, it’s a simple melody we can hum along easily to, but did you know where the words of this song came from?
It was a time of religious strife in England and the words to the song were coded in symbolism.
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree,” which means Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves are the old and new testaments.
Three french hens are the three virtues of faith, hope and charity,
Four calling birds are the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
Five golden rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.
Six geese-a-laying are the six days of creation before God’s rest on the seventh day.
Seven swans-a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Eight maids-a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Ten lords-a-leaping are the 10 commandments.
Eleven pipers piping are the 11 faithful disciples.
Twelve drummers drumming are the 12 points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
In all my years singing that song, I always wanted to know why they were singing about a pear tree in winter. Ha, now we all know.
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On Christmas Eve, take a drive to The View Winery, 2287 Ward Rd., off of Spiers Road in East Kelowna, and be a part of their Slip & Sip.
Follow the red shoes and festive decorations through a self-guided vineyardorchard tour.
Bring your snowshoes, children or furry friends (on a leash), then enjoy a warm up inside the tasting room afterwards — $10 or complimentary with product purchase. Daily until Feb. 21 from noon to 3 p.m.
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If you still haven’t seen the spectacle that is Candy Cane Lane, I suggest making that festive effort.
Bring something for the food bank bin and stroll along to see the over-the-top displays of everything that is colourful, shiny and bright.
I sang one of my original songs, Holly Day, a few years ago on Candy Cane Lane on Collison Road. You can find it on You Tube. Thanks to Doug Brown and Shaw TV for creating this video for my song.
The band features Neville Bowman on piano and Bernie Addington on double bass and Scott Gamble on drums
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With Christmas two days away, and no party invitations on my calendar, I feel grateful for the snow that fell so heavily on Monday.
That and all the lights I put up help remind me of days when times were different.
Every year is different and although some of our traditions had to be honed or left out this year, I believe in the inspiration of the quote: “when a door closes, a window opens,” and it’s usually those new opportunities placed in our pathway that become our trail of mixed blessings and privileges.
I wish for all this season peace-inspired thoughts of goodwill and blessings. If you by chance have a little more, please share it with those who have a little less. Merry Christmas.