Music at the heart of Christmas
MUSIC has always been at the heart of Christmas celebrations across the centuries, from seasonal carols and cathedral choirs to chart-topping festive songs.
From past to present, religious to pagan, winter celebrations have included carol singers and soaring Christmas music in churches and concert halls for as long as we can remember.
Music stirs the soul and brings people, and communities, together in celebration and homage as a shared experience.
Carols first appeared in England in the 15th century sung by groups of wassailers travelling from house to house like our modern-day carol singers, and music soon became one of the greatest tributes to Christmas.
These days, festive music still includes traditional carols and choral works, but has evolved with Christmasthemed pop songs played on a loop over airwaves, on the internet, in shopping malls, in lifts and lobbies, and definitely in cafes and bars.
Music is also at the heart of the free activities hosted by The Cheltenham Trust for all the community to enjoy, and never more so than at Christmas. This festive season a Yuletide programme is on offer at the Garden Bar Orangery, transformed into a seasonal Après Ski Lodge for this most magical time of the year.
If music is a key part of today’s festive season, so too is late night shopping and tonight, Thursday December 1, the ski lodge bar is combining both with free music from musician Santa Sax to complement Cheltenham’s late night shopping evening.
Come and feed your body and soul with festive food and drinks, there’s seasonal favourites mulled wine, hot chocolates and the Garden Bar’s popular signature dish, Christmas dinner on a pizza, and live music as we embrace the tradition of Christmases past, present and future.
Dressed as everyone’s favourite man in a red suit, Santa Sax will be playing back to back jazzy festive favourites from 6pm. Christmas is all about traditions so listen out for those perennial favourites from Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Winter Wonderland to Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Just as people have traditionally come together in venues of all kinds to sing, and enjoy, festive music, the Garden Bar will be at the heart of this year’s celebrations, with free, live music all the way through to Christmas.
On Saturday, from 1pm, it’s The Rhythm Slingers, with an afternoon of country, swing, rhythm and blues and rock ‘n’ roll.
On Sunday, join Cheltenham’s favourite jazz musician Peter Gill for a smorgasbord of boogie woogie, rock ‘n’ roll, swing classics and modern Christmas favourites including Santa Claus Boogie, Santa Claus is Coming in a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train and Run Run Rudolph.
Keep an eye out on our website for more seasonal live music events, and please support us to provide even more free community events for everyone to enjoy. It’s easy to support The Cheltenham Trust charity by rounding up your bill or donating at the till, or donating online via the QR code on our screens, your support is appreciated.
To find out more about our Christmas programme of events visit: www. cheltenhamtrust.org.uk/christmas/
We look forward to welcoming you.