Christmas Favorites: Playlist Picks from Denver Brass Musicians

Looking for the perfect Christmas playlist? Click here to find and follow us on Spotify and listen to all of our personal holiday favorites from Bing Crosby to Mannheim Steamroller! 

Spotify Playlist highlights and interesting facts:

Becky Wilkins’ favorite Christmas song, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, describes a lone cellist playing a forgotten Christmas carol in war-torn Sarajevo. Paul O'Neill explained that the cello player returned home in the height of the Bosnian War and decided to climb on top of a pile of rubble in what once was the town center and play Christmas carols. He aimed to prove that despite the attempted self-destruction of his people in a time of gruesome civil war, that the spirit of humanity was still alive and needed to be acknowledged.

Some groups like Mannheim Steamroller (O Come, O Come Emanuel picked by Warren Deck and Pat a Pan picked by Susan McCullough) have become very well-known due largely to the success of their Christmas music, whereas other groups like First Call (Evening in December picked by Kaitlin McCarthy) had great success with Christmas music but then struggled to find popularity through their non-seasonal repertoire.

Who knew that the Barenaked Ladies made a Christmas Album that featured Sarah McLachlan? Well, Cami Kidwell-Dodge knows, and it’s one of her Christmas favorites!

Jeremy Van Hoy’s favorite Christmas song, Do They Know It’s Christmas?, is by Band Aid, a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia. This hit single was a great success and sold over two million copies around the globe, raising more than $24,000,000 and increasing Celebrity Diplomacy around the world.

One of Jenny Harvey’s favorite Christmas albums is Ella and Louis Christmas. Fun fact – for their first album together, Ella allowed Louis to choose the key for each song, which resulted in some truly incredible recordings that highlight her extensive range and virtuosity.

Be sure to check out our Christmas Cheer playlist as well to hear the Denver Brass versions of all of your favorite jingles! And don't forget to come hear your favorite Christmas carols performed live at Once Upon a Christmas, December 16 & 17 at the Newman Center. Click here to learn more about the concert and to buy tickets.

Check out who picked what below!

  Kathy

  • The Star Carol - Tennessee Ernie Ford   

  • Denver Brass’ O Holy Night

  Jeff

  • The Christmas Song - Mel Torme 

  David

  •  The Green Fields Of Amerikay – Paddy Glackin 

  • "Salvation is Created" – Frank Erickson 

  • O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen 

  Matt

  • Jingle Bells? - Barbra Streisand 

  • Believe - Josh Groban 

  • You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch & Where Are You Christmas – The Grinch 

  Becky

  • Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo - Trans-Siberian Orchestra 

  • Somewhere in My Memory – John Williams 

  • It Feels Like Christmas from Muppet Christmas Carol 

  Warren

  • O Come O Come Emanuel - Mannheim Steamroller 

  • Dave Hanson’s Said the Brass Winds to the Drummer Boy 

  Jenny

  • Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong 

  • Harry Connick Jr.’s Christmas album

  Lauren

  • Andrews Sisters Christmas 

  • Christmas with Anuna 

  • Christmas with Maureen McGovern 

  • N’Sync Home for Christmas!!! 

  • A Chipmunk Christmas (1981 version ONLY) 

  Kaitlin

  •   Evening in December- First Call 

  Carrie

  • The Man with all the Toys - Beach Boys 

  • Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Chicago 

  • Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt 

  Cami

  •  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan 

  Susan

  •  Pat a Pan - Mannheim Steamroller 

  Jeremy

  •  Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid. 

  Andy

  •  Let it Snow - Harry Connick Jr 

  Becki Kaye

  •  Where Are You Christmas – Faith Hill 

  • White Winter Hymnal & Carol of the Bells – Pentatonix 

  Other Favorites 
  from DBHQ

  •  Linus and Lucy & Christmas Time is Here – A Charlie Brown Christmas 

  • Jingle Bells – Barry Manilow 

  • All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey 

  • White Christmas – Bing Crosby 

 

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