Christmas is spiced by the green branches in the house corners, the special food served, Santa and his gifts, some believe so. But Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of all times, reasoned that Christmas is made special by the music played.
Christmas is spiced by the green branches in the house corners, the special food served, Santa and his gifts, some believe so. But Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of all times, reasoned that Christmas is made special by the music played.
Charles Dickens must have imagined what a Christmas celebration without any carols sang or saccharine music played, would look like.
It most probably would be difficult to forge a mood for the day because neither the décor, nor the drinks would match the Christmas songs, night angel, and other pieces of music played on the day.
Even the related famous events, like lighting up the Christmas tree, common in the United States, are always flavored by music; in fact this event is all about music.
Christmas tree lighting is the deed that marks the start of a three-week celebration of Christmas before the day comes.
Many world-class musicians have to perform on the event, and this year’s was graced by African-American singer, Jennifer Hudson, alongside U2 and Justin Bieber.
Some of the people who talked to The New Times also believe that music and Christmas are almost inseparable.
Willy Mulisa, the head of Cornerstone Choir, of local church, Victory Centre, Kigali explains; "They say that when Jesus was born, the angels started singing to commemorate his birth; so music went on to become the practice for ages.”
"That is why Choirs across the world make take their time to prepare good music surprises for their congregations on the day,” says Mulisa.
Ras Ryan, one of the percussionists of reggae band, Holly Jah Doves, says that music is unavoidable for the day because it makes the day fun than any other form of entertainment.
"Music makes Christmas a real celebration, whether it is secular Reggae, gospel soul, notes… because no movies, or football or any other thing could give equal entertainment.
He adds, "For example, my band is busiest in Christmas days, right from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day which shows how much people find fun in music in the season.”
DJ Bissosso, one of the top local disc jockeys in Rwanda says, out of experience, that even those who have never entered club want to, on the day.
The fact that shops fall short of CDs of Christmas carols in the festive days, night clubs pack up on Christmas Eve, and choirs save their best for Christmas, shows hard it would be to pass the day without any music.