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Growth House > Growth House Radio > Christmas Channel

Christmas Channel

If the season is getting you down, consider listening to music that has an upbeat emotional tone with an occasional laugh. Here are some CDs that even the Grinch could love. These music suggestions have an upbeat emotional tone and an occasional laugh that is suitable for Christmas moods. The holiday season can be a difficult time for people who are dealing with loss. That's why we make a special effort to offer programming for that season. You can support our work by buying music here, by the way. We receive a small commission on sales to help us keep afloat. Click any CD to hear more clips or to place an order.

Program Guide: The Christmas Channel

Madison Symphony Orchestra: A Madison Christmas
	The Madison Symphony Orchestra's annual Christmas Spectacular concerts have become a beloved family tradition bringing together an equal blend of classical repertoire and popular favorites. Cinematic orchestral scoring, the glorious voices of the Madison Symphony Chorus and the Madison Youth Choirs, virtuoso soloists, and the Madison Area Concert Handbells add up to a Christmas CD worthy of a film score.
Christmas Lights: A New Strand
	The Oakwood Chamber Players are a class act. This merry band began playing chamber music to entertain a nearby retirement community almost twenty years ago, and they are still at it.
The Therapy Sisters: Codependent Christmas
	Holiday season got you down? Even Santa gets the blues sometimes. The Therapy Sisters take a light-hearted look at the season with tracks like "Santa's Got The Blues", "Codependent Christmas", and "The Twelve Days of Analysis."
Christmas Fantasia
	Classy arrangements of holiday favorites with The Da Capo Players' elegant classical sound featuring flute, violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar and harp.
O Christmas Trio
	Spirited, upbeat arrangements of seasonal favorites will make you want to get out on that ballroom floor and dance your troubles away. Rumbas, Cha-Chas, Swings, Waltzes, Tangos, and Sambas, to name just a few.
Houston Symphony Christmas Festival
	Conductor Michael Krajewski leads the Houston Symphony and Houston Symphony Chorus in a harmonious festival of holiday cheer. Think John Williams meets Santa Claus.
The Shepherd's Carol
	This collection of traditional carols features harp music supported by cello and other instruments. The light arrangements are suitable for play all year, not just at Christmas.
Christmas: Music for Tranquility
	Quiet, low-stress versions of familiar carols and other standards with harp, flute and violin.
The Christmas Story
	Solo harp CD versions of Christmas favorites done in a relaxing, peaceful way.
Django Bells
	The Nashville-based Django Hobres stomp up an enjoyable mix of bluegrass, jazz, and Christmas jingles. Clever arrangments and spirited pluckin' will put some rum in your eggnog.
Capital City Men's Chorus: Northern Lights
	The Capital City Men's Chorus gives you the gift of song in this compilation of seasonal music from northern climes, with a special emphasis on Celtic music. Includes Scottish, Irish, and Welsh tunes plus music from Canada, Austria, and Northern Spain. This wonderful CD is a good example of the high quality choral work being done by men within the gay community for the benefit of the community at large. For more music by this group check out Silent Noon, a warm exploration of various kinds of love as seen by composers throughout time.
Renaissance City Men's Choir: Holiday Jewels
	Holiday favorites, plus some discoveries, artfully interpreted by this seasoned men's choral ensemble, joined on two selections by the RC Wom+n's Choir. The Renaissance City Choirs represent Pittsburgh's Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, using music to build bridges and enrich all of us.
Pilgrim on Earth
	Well-loved Christian hymns arranged for piano and orchestra by Peter B. Allen. Entertaining treatments that range from stately to sprightly will make you see these favorites in a new light. Think John Williams meets Christian Science Hymnal. This CD includes a beautiful arrangement of "Abide With Me". The famous melody of that great hymn is by William Monk. The words were written in 1847 by Anglican clergyman Henry Lyte when he was gravely ill with tuberculosis. Lyte passed away three weeks later at the age of 54. The hymn expresses his faith as death drew near: "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.... I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weights, and tears no bitterness; Where is death's sting? where, grave thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me."
Come Ye Back
	Gentle Celtic harp arrangements of traditional Irish ballads and airs, with just enough fresh variations in tempo and phrasing to make them sound new. Think green fields and mossy castles.
Cantico: Early Music for Flute and Harp
	If you have overdosed on contemporary Christmas carols, try the calming selections from Duo Arioso's "Cantico". Some of these melodies were so popular in Elizabethan times Shakespeare mentioned them in his plays.
John Astin: Now is the Time
	John Astin's contemplative and devotional songs have been used at spiritual retreats and healing seminars around the world. Add these into your Christmas mix if you want a non-denominational spiritual message.

Other Channels:
· Education Channel
· Quiet Music Channel
· Staff Favorites Music

Coping With The Holidays
The Winter holiday season can be a painful time for people dealing with loss and grief. The Hospice Foundation of America lists The "Three C's" of holiday grief:

Choose what activities you want to participate in and who you want to be with.

Communicate about your choices with others, particularly those who are affected by them.

Compromise when your communication uncovers differences in how you and those close to you may use different coping strategies to address feelings and needs.

Learn more....

Dealing With Loss

Hospice educator Dillon Woods reads a selection from his audiobook Where Souls Meet on recognizing change and loss as a gift of life. Also covers the importance of taking care of yourself when you are a caregiver for others. Check the full Growth House review.

Case Studies in Music Therapy
Great source of ideas for music therapists and other caregivers.

The New Music Therapist's Handbook
This completely updated and revised edition reflects the latest developments in the field of music therapy. Includes an introduction to the profession, guidelines for setting up a practice, new clinical applications, and helpful case studies - a must for students and professionals alike.

A Comprehensive Guide to Music Therapy: Theory, Clinical Practice, Research and Training
This excellent overview of the field of music therapy is accessible to professionals and the general public alike. The book comes with a CD and CD-ROM, which provide musical examples and a guide to further resources.