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1) Sign up in the comments.  You can sign up until the day of the concert — December 20th, so don’t worry. The only reason to do it is to make sure that we don’t have ten versions of “Jingle Bells.” If you already know what song you are going to sing or play, tell us. But if five of you MUST sing “Deck the Halls,” then just go for it! We’ll understand. Tis the season…
2) Record your Christmas or Hanukkah or Holiday song. Both Windows and Mac come with sound recorders. You just plug a microphone in. These microphones are very cheap. Don’t worry about sounding professional. You’re a blogger! I will later include the names of some free software that will help you trim the pauses at the beginning and end. If you get a lot of background noise, I have some software that includes a noise reduction filter. I can edit or filter the track for you.
Just remember to watch that you don’t go “INTO THE RED” (or record at too loud of a level) or sound will get distorted.
You can record it in several formats — Mp3 is compressed, .wav sometimes sounds better (but it is a much larger file).
3)Â Family members can contribute to the music or song, but YOU must contribute for this to be a true Bloggers’ Holiday Concert.
4) It is your song. You can put it on your blog or MySpace. It would actually be a lot easier if you post it yourself than sending it to me. Just give me the link to the post.  OR I will host it for you myself. Just send me as an attachment. (I will write more about that later because the file could be very large)
5)Â If anyone knows more about sound recording, sending audio files, etc., please jump in with your advice.
6) I’m also hoping to decorate my post with photos of your menorahs and Christmas trees, so if you are not contributing a song, please help us making the place festive! We can also use some holiday RECIPES for both Hanukkah and Christmas. I will even allow one or two photos of kittens if dressed with the appropriate Holiday spirit.
7) Any questions? Enjoy!
Awesomeness. Like I’ve said before, you will all thank me to send a picture of my Christmas tree rather than to contribute musically. I expect to see your thank-you notes in the mail by New Years Day.
I will sing Adeste Fideles!
Oh also, for people who use Firefox, there is an extension called GSpace. You can upload files there then someone else can pull them off…just a suggestion.
I’ll see what I can do, Neil!
What to do, what to do…send a festive photo or a potentially horrid mp3?…
My little orieyenta and I will do “Oh Chanukah” – not very exciting but at least it beats the driedel song.
I think Sophia found a cool Ladino (Old Spanish) Hanukkah song.
What about dogs and parrots? Can they join in the holiday spirit too?
I am talentless when it comes to singing, but I can send you a picture of my Christmas Tree.
You konw, I’d totally be into this if I wasn’t into torture. Becasue that’s what it would be for everyone who listened to me sing anything. Really.
I’ll contribute a song!
I’ll claim “Up on the house top”
I’ll certainly participate, but instrumentally, not with singing. I was told once at a birthday party, by the birthday honoree, “Don’t ever sing around me again. You sound like a dead trout.” It’s true. My Broadway kid will probably take over anyway. He’s the one with all the talent.
OK. I’m not committing to buying a microphone so I won’t sign up… yet. However, if for some reason I end up sans microphone, I promise to open a window and sing as loudly as possible to the passersby on my very busy street on December 20.
Instrumental versions for me…on my accordion, so that’s holiday spirited for ya!
Can’t decide between “Santa Baby” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” or “Silent Night.” Maybe all three if I’m putting them up on my own blog 😉
Neil:
I don’t know if I can sing quietly enough so not to distort the sound, but I’ll try. I’ll sing something traditional, such as Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.
Leezer — Why do you sound like Fran Drescher? Hmmm… actually I sound like Fran Drescher…Â Caitlinator — one word — chicken…
I was considering Silent Night, but as you know, I haven’t a blog thingy, so we’d have to post it here, there, or somewhere.
I, for one, can’t believe how anti-Winter Solstice you are, Neil. And what about poor Ramadan? Shouldn’t it be a Christmahanukwanzaakahdan Solstice Concert?
this could be very, very good or… very, very bad. 🙂
Two Roads, I have a dog and parrot too…perhaps they can collaborate.
Oops, my bad, Ramadan’s already over. Last year it was around Christmas, but it changes year to year. But… but.. Winter Solstice? Doesn’t that count for something?!
I’m sure I’ll sing something, but I stand by my request of you and Sophia singing a duet. Puleaze?
I put a tentative list at the end of the post. I’ll be updating it every day.
I’ll do “The Virgin’s Cradle Song”
Femme – terrific. That should be a real treat!
I have zero musical talent and I try to avoid overly embarrassing situations. So, I’ll only be contributing a kitten photo, but I promise they’ll look very festive.
k….my two songs are up… Don’t judge me! I’m a Holiday-aholic. 😀
I don’t sing in public. I’m barely allowed to sing in private.
Your concert sounds fun. I don’t sing very well, but I could send you a picture of my Christmas tree or my snowman collection.
Neil … I would like to do the Chipmunks Christmas Song, if it’s still available.
I’m sooooooo excited!!!!!
Hey, I’m in! I’ll do “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” I don’t think that’s taken yet… I will attempt to do right by Judy G.
Thankfully, I missed the sign up on this one. Phew!
count me in!
I won’t be singing, just listening. Maybe my daughter, Sabrina will decide on a song . Happy Holidays!
I’m in! I’m Mo’s stepdaughter, and since she needed to pull out, I’d like to fill in for her. I’d like to do “Walking in the Air” from The Snowman. Since I can’t do the REAL Christmas concert like I was going to… *glare at whoever gave Dad a cold*
So… I don’t actually have an account, can I do this?
I’d like to sing “O Holy Night”
You know so much its almost hard to argue with you.