December 2024 Newsletter
In This Month’s Newsletter
Carol of the Bells
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month
Spotlight on Luke Santonastaso
Did You Know?
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Join Choir!
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program
Carol of the Bells
"Carol of the Bells" is one of the most iconic holiday songs, instantly recognizable by its haunting, bell-like melody and hypnotic rhythm. Originally a Ukrainian folk chant called Shchedryk, the melody was composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1914. This piece was a New Year’s carol celebrating the arrival of spring, with lyrics that spoke of a swallow coming to announce wealth and good fortune. The song made its way to America in the early 1920s, where Peter J. Wilhousky, a Ukrainian-American choral director, adapted it with new English lyrics and titled it Carol of the Bells. Wilhousky’s lyrics transformed it into a Christmas song, emphasizing the sound of ringing bells and adding festive cheer.
Over the years, Carol of the Bells has become synonymous with the holiday season, known for its complex harmony and overlapping parts, creating a sense of urgency and joy. The song’s structure, with its repeated four-note motif, gives it a rhythm reminiscent of church bells, creating a mesmerizing and almost magical effect. The layering of voices or instruments builds a crescendo that can sound joyful or ominous, depending on the arrangement. This flexibility has led to countless adaptations, from traditional choral performances to jazz, rock, and even electronic versions, making it a favorite for musicians across genres.
Famous performances of Carol of the Bells span from classical ensembles to pop culture moments. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s rock rendition is one of the most famous, combining electric guitars and orchestral sounds for an intense, energetic version often used in holiday light shows. Other notable performances include those by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which brings out the piece’s traditional choral beauty, and Lindsey Stirling’s version on violin, which adds a haunting, modern twist. Its use in films like Home Alone has cemented its place in holiday culture, giving it a familiar and timeless feel for audiences worldwide. Today, Carol of the Bells remains a festive staple, its timeless melody ringing out each holiday season in homes, churches, and concert halls alike.
FUN and IMPORTANT DATES
Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 25
New Year’s Day
Wednesday, January 1
Off-week
December 23 - January 2
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Studio Recitals
Sunday, December 8
4:00pm and 5:30pm
Norman P. Murray and Senior Center
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
CA 92692Concert Performance Team Recitals
Sunday, December 15, 2:00pm
Capistrano Senior Living,
San Juan CapistranoSunday, January 19, 2:30pm
Trabuco Hills Post-Acute, Lake Forest
Sunday, February 16, 2:00pm
Ivy Park at Mission Viejo
Themed Recitals
”Sets of Music”
Friday, January 10, 4:30pm an 5:30pm
Chamber Music | OC Lake Forest
Please welcome
our NEW Students who enrolled
in October
Arya A.
Michael A.
Carter Jax C.
Alyson C.
Emi C.
Quinn C.
Duke D.
Malea D.
Alice L.
Nicolas M.
Mason N.
Rose P.
Amir R.
Valentina S.
Easton S.
Sophia S.
Sven S.
Isabela Y.
Max Y.
Student of the Month
Christine Poulsen
Christine started taking piano lessons when she was five years old while in Montessori school. She loves to tinker out her favorite songs on the piano! She took her first viola lesson during her 2024 summer break just to try something new.
She chose viola because of a cartoon dog named Jake from Adventure Time who plays viola. Christine would love to someday learn to play the ukulele, guitar, and drums.
This year her school will be performing Aladdin Jr, a Disney KIDS Musical through the Segerstrom Center of the Arts. During the musical performance, Christine may also perform a part on the piano!
Christine enjoys her school, Wood Canyon Elementary, because they have "special events that are a lot of fun.” Of Laguna Niguel School of Music, she says, “I like my teachers, and I like the little cozy waiting room.”
Christine's brother also plays an instrument, the euphonium. She has three pets: two dogs and a leopard gecko. Christine also loves doing all kinds of arts and crafts, computer programming, karate, and ice skating!
Spotlight on Luke Santonastaso
Born in Los Angeles, violin and viola teacher Luke Santonastaso is a versatile musician, instructor, and mentor active across the United States, presently based in Orange County, CA. He currently serves as the principal 2nd violin for the Santa Cruz Symphony as well as section member of the New West Symphony and the Sarasota Opera Orchestra.
His musical collaborations extend to various orchestras on the west coast, including the Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Opera, San Bernardino Symphony, and Redlands Symphony, among others. Luke has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned artists such as Midori Goto, Maxim Vengerov, Osmo Vänskä, Lynn Harrell, Gilbert Kalish, Kim Kashkashian, and Augustine Hadelich. He has been a fellow at prestigious institutions including the National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, and Incontri in Terra di Siena music festivals.
Beyond his performance commitments, Luke is dedicated to nurturing emerging talents among his students, along with serving as coach and instructor with institutions such as Junior Chamber Music, and previous positions with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and the Crowden School in Berkeley, CA. Luke holds degrees from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied with Movses Pogossian and Guillaume Sutre, member of Quatuor Ysaÿe. Outside of classical music, Luke is a member of the Scottish
Fiddlers of Los Angeles and enjoys folk music in all its forms. He is a loving cat dad and technophile!
Did You Know?
A Beautiful and Peaceful History of Silent Night
The history of Silent Night is filled with beauty, simplicity, and a sense of enduring peace, making it one of the most beloved Christmas carols worldwide. Its origins trace back to 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria, where a young priest, Joseph Mohr, wrote the lyrics as a poem. The church organ had broken just before Christmas Eve, so Mohr asked his friend Franz Xaver Gruber, a local school teacher and organist, to compose a melody for guitar accompaniment.
That Christmas Eve, the two performed the song for the first time in St. Nicholas Church, with Mohr singing and Gruber playing the guitar. This humble beginning sets the stage for a carol that would transcend its modest origins.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Silent Night is its universal appeal. The carol has been translated into over 300 languages, spreading its message of peace and hope across the globe. Its simplicity—the gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics—makes it accessible to singers of all ages and abilities, creating a sense of unity during the holiday season. The song also carries a profound historical moment: during World War I, on Christmas Eve in 1914, soldiers on both sides of the trenches reportedly sang Silent Night in their own languages during the famous Christmas Truce, a rare and poignant pause in the conflict.
Over time, Silent Night has evolved into a symbol of Christmas purity and spiritual reflection, often performed in churches, concert halls, and family gatherings. Its melody remains largely unchanged, maintaining the serene and contemplative atmosphere that has captivated listeners for over two centuries. Artists from Bing Crosby to modern choirs have recorded Silent Night, each adding their unique touch while preserving its essence. Declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011, Silent Night continues to embody the timeless beauty of Christmas, reminding us of the power of music to bring people together in peace and harmony.
Inspirations
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
“Kindness is like snow—it beautifies everything it covers.”
Music Playdates in the Parks
Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas.
Weekly playdates on Wednesday and Saturday
mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments,
and other fun toys!
Find us near the playground.
Join Choir!
In Laguna Niguel
Children and Youth
Saturdays
1:00p (ages 8-12)
2:30p (ages 13-17)
Adult
Tuesdays, 6:15p
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
December 2024
To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!
This month’s winner is Nicole Gultcova
Nicole has won 10 tickets which can be redeemed for prizes at the Dennis Frayne Music Studio, Laguna Niguel!
To collect your prize tickets just bring this to the office.
Congratulations, Nicole!
Everyone, be sure to read your newsletter each month!
