During the holiday season, the rich sounds of brass instruments take center stage. A Birch Creek Symphony Brass performer plays during the organization’s annual Christmas concert, showcasing the beauty and power of these instruments. Brass instruments, such as those in the Hallelujah Chorus of George Frideric Handel’s “The Messiah,” have become a staple of the holiday season.

Unlock the Magic of Holiday Brass Music

Brass Instruments in Holiday Music

Brass instruments like those in the Hallelujah Chorus have become ubiquitous during the holiday season. They add a depth and warmth to the music that is hard to replicate. As a result, brass-instrument players have busy schedules around this time of year. Charlie Schuchat, a tuba player for Birch Creek Music Performance Center’s brass quintet, shares his concerns about the possibility of a member getting sick. “I fear one of the members of the group getting sick this week, and then what am I going to do?” he said with a laugh. “Because everybody I know is working.”The rich, resonant sound of horns, tubas, trombones, and trumpets is one of several common themes found in holiday music. Bells also play an important role, adding a jingle to the mix.

The Sound of People Singing Together

Another common theme in holiday music is the sound of people singing together. This evokes long-held traditions like caroling. Allyson Fleck, executive director of Midsummer’s Music, believes that music starts having a more central role during the holidays because people move indoors and share songs. Midsummer’s Music affiliate, the Griffon String Quartet, organizes pop-up caroling events throughout the county in December. They perform in public locations like Piggly Wiggly in Sister Bay or the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Audience members are encouraged to sing along to well-known songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” “A lot of times, people don’t even need a lyric sheet anymore because they’re so familiar with these tunes,” Fleck said.

Holiday Performances by the Griffon String Quartet

Birch Creek’s annual Christmas concert has already passed, but the Griffon String Quartet still has several holiday performances planned around the peninsula before Dec. 25. Information about these performances is available at midsummersmusic.com/events. Their performances bring the joy of the holiday season to audiences through their beautiful music. Whether it’s the sound of brass instruments or the voices of people singing together, these performances add to the festive atmosphere.