Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Audio: Christmas sounds

One of the nice things about trombones at Christmastime is that unlike sleigh bells, there's no need to strain your ears to hear them.

“We always know people that have been to trombone concerts before because the back seats are always full (first),” quipped Northwest College low brass instructor Rick Parmer last week. “It's kind of like going to church; the first one there gets to sit in the back row.”

Parmer was directing -- and frequently joining in with -- a regional trombone ensemble Thursday night at Plaza Diane, performing hardy, trombone-only renditions of classic and lesser-known holiday carols.

For those who weren't in attendance, here's a sampling of what you missed. And if it's too loud, you can control the volume with a few clicks of your mouse instead of switching seats.

I've cut together four songs the trombone choir played -- Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Good King Wenceslas, and A Holly Jolly Christmas -- into one continuous music file that clocks in just over five minutes.

Trombone Christmas selections - time: 5:12

If the audio player doesn't work in the space above, you can download the recording here.

As a bonus, here's some more holiday audio that (Managing Editor) Tessa captured on Dec. 5. It's the song Silent Night, sung during a “Holiday Music from Around the World,” event, also at the Plaza. It featured NWC staff and students singing in over 10 different languages -- Italian, French, Spanish, English, Cantonese, Korean, Hindi, Filipino, Japanese, and German among them -- all at the same time.

As one attendee joked, “Tower of Babel.”

Silent Night - time: 52 seconds

If the audio player doesn't work in the space above, you can download the recording here.

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