If you’ve turned on the radio after the first snow of the season, chances are you heard one of about ten or 15 Christmas songs on loop. It shouldn’t be ridiculous to say that most modern Christmas songs are boring and lazy remakes of songs that came out more than fifty years ago. Anyone who has worked in retail during the holidays will tell you how miserable it is to listen to the same fifteen Christmas songs over and over all season. While there are undoubtedly several “classics” that some would argue should stand the test of time, the music surrounding the holiday season shouldn’t just be Michael Bublé singing every Bing Crosby Christmas song that came out in the 1960s.
What we need is new, original Christmas music. Actual compositions that have something new to offer can bring a unique experience to what we know as Christmas music and make it more bearable. Our society shifts as the world changes, yet something like Christmas music seems to stand against all odds in its mediocrity. Many bands create incredible music in our world today, so what is stopping them from making new, original Christmas music?
Oftentimes, attempts at new Christmas music are written off as lame or cringey. While for some of these songs the cringey part rings true, there aren’t many examples of good recent Christmas music, which is what needs to change.
Being a musician has never been harder in our society, and with the growing age of social media and its effects, the music industry has taken large hits in the last ten or so years.
As a musician myself and an avid instrumental music enjoyer, I have a special connection to music and its core components. Through my time being in the band program at CRHS and exploring the world of musicianship, I have come to enjoy much of the music that this world has to offer, but I also noticed a lack in original, recent Christmas music. If you have a chance to support your local music scene and influence the creation of something new for the holidays, I encourage you to do so. Not only do I call upon you to support local compositions and performances, but also I call upon you to continue to provide a space for musicians to grow and create.
