Every year, around a certain time, you begin to hear the Christmas Carols. One day, suddenly, they're coming out of every speaker.
But where did the Christmas Carol come from? Do you ever wonder? Have Christmas Carols always been with us?
Concert Program
Out Under the Sky is a solo, acoustic concert program that has been featured on National Public Radio. Critically acclaimed for her pure singing voice and masterful finger-style guitar accompaniment, Suzanne McDermott presents her own arrangements of ancient and traditional carols. Throughout the performance, Suzanne talks about sources and historic context of each carol, symbolism of the lyrics and how popular culture and sacred doctrine were combined in the song form.
Carefully selected and ordered, each carol unfolds a particular part of the Christmas story, from biblical prophecy, through the Annunciation to the birth of the Christ Child. The carols are also presented chronologically and provide a glimpse at the history of Western music and religion.
No matter what faith you follow, this unique and beautiful musical program on the origin and development of the Christmas Carol is guaranteed to fascinate.
This program runs 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Ages 10 and up
Carefully selected and ordered, each carol unfolds a particular part of the Christmas story, from biblical prophecy, through the Annunciation to the birth of the Christ Child. The carols are also presented chronologically and provide a glimpse at the history of Western music and religion.
No matter what faith you follow, this unique and beautiful musical program on the origin and development of the Christmas Carol is guaranteed to fascinate.
This program runs 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Ages 10 and up
School Program
Out Under the Sky is a great program for middle and high school students. English teachers can explore a lesson plan designed around adaptation, metaphor, or changing vernacular usage. Lesson plans for history teachers might include changing tools and perspectives of historical research and interpretation, the idea of historical revival, or oral history. Music teachers can analyze the form of one of the carols to be performed or learn about and listen to musical examples from a relevant period.
An interdisciplinary lesson plan shared by English, History and Music teachers focuses on the motivation behind, tradition and importance of collecting Folk Songs.
Lesson plans are available for teachers of Music, English and History. Please email me with your needs and I'll respond with a set to choose from. I donate a copy of the Out Under the Sky album to each school library.
Naturally, I can include an in-class sing along.
An interdisciplinary lesson plan shared by English, History and Music teachers focuses on the motivation behind, tradition and importance of collecting Folk Songs.
Lesson plans are available for teachers of Music, English and History. Please email me with your needs and I'll respond with a set to choose from. I donate a copy of the Out Under the Sky album to each school library.
Naturally, I can include an in-class sing along.
Holiday Concert
Would you like to book a more standard concert during the holiday season? I offer a lovely Holiday Concert that includes some ancient and traditional carols from the Out Under the Sky program as well as a favorite selection of my own songs. The combination makes for a memorable and seasonal holiday experience.
Dependent on your particular needs, Holiday Concerts run from 45 - 90 minutes in length.
Dependent on your particular needs, Holiday Concerts run from 45 - 90 minutes in length.
Availability
Suzanne McDermott may be booked for this program between the day after Thanksgiving and the Winter Solstice. Exceptions are occasionally made for outside of this period. Because of short time frame, availability is limited and it's best to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
2009 dates can now be booked from Friday, November 27 through Monday, December 21.
To reserve a date, ask a question or learn more about details, please email me.
2009 dates can now be booked from Friday, November 27 through Monday, December 21.
To reserve a date, ask a question or learn more about details, please email me.
Where has this been performed?
Out Under the Sky has been performed since 1999 across the U.S. in concert halls, schools, historical societies, museums, churches, senior residences, Borders Bookstores and throughout the Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Illinois, Virginia, South Carolina and Florida library systems.
Reviews
"The Christmas album is a curious creature. Spirituality meets commercial potential in gaudily decorated CD racks in record stores everywhere. With the typical Christmas album, musicianship all too often becomes secondary — any old rehashed carols that get us in the holiday spirit will do. Rarely is such an album a highly creative or intellectual endeavor.
Such is not the case, however, with singer songwriter Suzanne McDermott's Out Under the Sky, a thoughtful selection of ancient and traditional carols ranging in origin from 11th century Denmark to contemporary America. In an age where choirs of angels have been supplanted by schmaltzy John Tesh synthesizers, McDermott captures some of the original honest and purity of Christmas music throughout the centuries. Out Under the Sky truly celebrates the musicianship and inspiration of these traditional carols."
Matt Hutchinson - Charleston City Paper
Such is not the case, however, with singer songwriter Suzanne McDermott's Out Under the Sky, a thoughtful selection of ancient and traditional carols ranging in origin from 11th century Denmark to contemporary America. In an age where choirs of angels have been supplanted by schmaltzy John Tesh synthesizers, McDermott captures some of the original honest and purity of Christmas music throughout the centuries. Out Under the Sky truly celebrates the musicianship and inspiration of these traditional carols."
Matt Hutchinson - Charleston City Paper
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