Global Celebration - Winter Festivals of Light Musical

Submitted by Dianne Park, San Diego, California

Idea posted August 23, 2011

Written by Dianne Park

Set: risers on stage / room for dancing

Stage decorated with cardboard cutouts representing the different countries and a variety of symbols celebrating winter festivals of light: Christmas packages and tree, Hanukkah menorah, Advent wreath, Chinese lantern, Diwali lamp.

Choir is on risers, behind curtain. Curtain opens and choir begins to sing.

SONG 1: IN THE SPIRIT (from Music K-8, Vol. 18, No. 2)

SCENE 1

American Traveler (dressed in red, white, and blue and carrying a suitcase, comes on stage)

Welcome to our Choir Global Celebration!

We're celebrating holidays around the world and across this nation.

There's Christmas, Hanukkah and Diwali, to name a few,

Santa Lucia Day and Posada, too.

I'm traveling around the world to learn about winter festivals of light.

Tell me, why do you have these candles burning bright?

Speaker 1:

These are decorations for many festivals of light.

Long, long ago, in ancient days,

folks celebrated in different ways.

The sun, which always shone so very bright,

grew dimmer with each passing winter night.

Speaker 2:

Ancient people greeted winter's ways,

with festivals of light on special days.

Ceremonies celebrating cycles of the moon and sun,

became holy days with music, food, and fun.

Speaker 3:

Come, go with us to countries near and far.

Learn of holidays that connect us with the

sun and moon and stars!

(During this time, the Santa Lucia girls leave risers and go down steps behind stage. They will come up the aisle as the choir sings "Santa Lucia." They all carry candles. Speakers 4, 5, 6 to microphones, then join the procession.)

SCENE 2

(Traveler enters.)

CHOIR: GOD DAG! (pronounced: goo dah)

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 4:

We said, "Hello!" the Swedish way!

You are in Sweden, a land of cold and snow.

In winter here, we miss the warmth of the sun's golden glow.

Speaker 5:

In olden days, in our cold north,

the ancients bid the sun come forth,

by lighting bonfires in the night,

to give the old Frost King a fright!

Speaker 6:

They hoped to chase him far way,

so they might have warmth and longer days.

Now, the Swedish festival of lights,

helps to brighten up long winter nights.

(Music Teacher: shorten as needed)

Yes, long ago the people in the northern country of Sweden built bonfires on the hillsides during winter to tempt the sun back in to the sky and to chase away the Frost King.

In Sweden today, people still celebrate the power of the light and the sun through a festival called Lucia-dagen, or Saint Lucia Day.

The Swedish adopted the Italian saint, Lucia, as their special saint because the name Lucia means light. The day in her honor is December 13, then thought to be the shortest day of winter. At sunrise on December 13th, the oldest girl in each family dresses in a white gown with a crimson sash. On her head is a crown of green leaves and glowing candles. Her sisters are also dressed in white and carry candles. Boys in the family may wear tall, white, pointed caps decorated with stars. Lucia carries sweet rolls and coffee to her parents.

To wake the rest of the family, Lucia and her sisters walk through the house singing the traditional Italian song, Santa Lucia.

(Lights out as the Lucia procession begins up center aisle singing "Santa Lucia," continuing up the riser steps to stage. Lucia girls make a line on stage with "Lucia" out front. Sing as many times as needed.)

SONG: SANTA LUCIA

Traveler:

CHOIR: Adjö ("Goodbye" in Swedish) (wave goodbye as Traveler leaves)

TRAVELING MUSIC: ISRAEL(At this time, the hora dancers leave risers, line up to come on when songs starts. Speakers 7, 8, 9 to mics, then join dancers.)

SCENE 3

(Traveler enters again.)

CHOIR: SHALOM!

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 7:

We said, "Hello!" the Israeli way!

Can you visit for eight nights and

join us for the Jewish Festival of Lights?

Traveler:

Oh yes! I want to know

why those candles are a-glow.

(Music Teacher: shorten as needed)

The celebrations of many holidays throughout the world depend on the moon's cycles. Hanukkah is such a festival. It often falls in December. Jewish families in Israel and around the world feast, pray, give gifts, and play games together.

Poem: Speakers 8 and 9 read the "Song of Hanukkah" by Eva Grant

Speaker 8:

Come and sing a Hanukkah song.

Sing of heroes, brave and strong -

Maccabeus and his band,

who rescued Israel's ancient land.

Speaker 9:

Sing a song of candles burning,

dreidels spinning, pancakes turning,

Hanukkah presents tucked away,

to open on the holiday.

Sing a happy Hanukkah song,

every day for eight days long.

SONG: HANUKKAH O HANUKKAH (from Music K-8, Vol. 14, No. 2)

(Hora dancers, choir plays tambourines)

Traveler:

The candles are burning, oh so bright,

filling every heart with a warm and cheerful light.

Thank you for sharing this special day,

but now I must be on my way!

CHOIR: Shalom! ("Goodbye!" in Hebrew) (Traveler goes behind scenery.)

TRAVELING MUSIC: HAWAII (Hula dancers go off. Speakers 10, 11, 12, 13 to mics.)

SCENE 4

(Traveler enters again.)

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 10:

We said, "Hello!" the Hawaiian way!

You've traveled to Hawaii, U.S.A.

To the land where the palm trees sway!

Speaker 11:

In our Polynesian paradise,

we celebrate with fish and poi,

festive lights on hala trees,

ukuleles, music, and toys!

Speaker 12:

Santa doesn't come by sleigh,

he arrives in a red outrigger canoe.

He knows the name of the Hawaiian state fish -

Do you?

SONG: HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A (from Music K-8, Vol. 17, No. 5)

(A kindergartner is the little fish and hula dances throughout the song - the choir reacts to him. At the end, he is carried off as all wave and say, "Aloha!")

Speaker 13:

"Mele Kalikimaka!" is the thing to say

on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day!

That's the island greeting that we send to you

from the land where palm trees sway.

SONG: MELE KALIKIMAKA (hula dancers come on and dance. At end our little fish joins them.)

Traveler:

Thanks you for sharing Christmas the Hawaiian way.

Christmas in the islands sure is a special day.

Thank you for the luau and the hula, too.

"Mele Kalikimaka!" to all of you!

CHOIR: ALOHA! (goodbye)

TRAVELING MUSIC: MEXICO (fiesta dancers leave risers, go behind stage ready to come on for "La Fiesta." Speaker 14, 15 to mics.)

SCENE 5

CHOIR: HOLA!

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 14:

We said, "Hello!" the Spanish way!

It's Fiesta time in Mexico,

at this time of year.

There's dancing and singing,

and lots of good cheer.

SONG: LA FIESTA (Dancers bring out a piñata and dance. Speaker 15 goes to mic.)

Speaker 15:

Look at this! It's a colorful piñata!

I hope it's filled with treats; I'd really like a lotta!

SONG: PINATA (Act out piñata game with one or two students blindfolded.)

Traveler:

Fiesta time is dandy,

and I got a lot of candy!

Thanks for sharing your holiday,

but now I must be on my way.

CHOIR: ADIOS!

TRAVELING MUSIC: INDIA (Indian dancers get ready. Speakers 16, 17 to mics.)

SCENE 6

(Traveler enters.)

CHOIR: NAMASTE! (pronounced: nah-ma-stay)

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 16:

We said, "Hello!" the Hindi way.

You have come on the perfect night,

for this is the Indian Festival of Light!

Speaker 17:

Our festival is called Diwali;

for Indian children, it's very jolly.

We honor the moon and the goddess Lakshmi,

who brings us wealth and prosperity.

(Music Teacher: shorten as needed)

At the end of the harvest season, Hindus all over India honor the moon and the Goddess Lakshmi by celebrating Diwali. Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps," and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. Diwali is the Hindu festival welcoming Rama and Sita out of the forest and celebrating their triumph over evil. It is the Hindu New Year and is one of the happiest Indian festivals.

Clay lamps are set out on rows along rooftops and windowsills. The golden lights flicker along the rooftops all over the city and country. The purpose of the lights is to guide the Goddess Lakshmi as she travels on the wings of a heavenly bird to bless each house with wealth and good fortune. This is also a time for gift giving, candles, music, and dance. At the end of the five-day celebration, fireworks fill the sky.

Our choir will now perform a song in the Tamil Indian language with Tamil dance gestures, called "mudras."

SONG: LOVELY, LOVELY MOON (NILA NILA)

Traveler:

Your Diwali lamps cast a lovely glow,

but I'm afraid I have to go.

Thank you for sharing this holiday.

I really wish that I could stay!

TRAVELING MUSIC: CHINA (Chinese dancers go off and get streamers and lanterns, lion head, instruments. Speakers 18, 19, 20 to mics.)

SCENE 7

(Traveler enters.)

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 18:

We said, "Hello!" the Chinese way!

We're so glad you're here!

Just in time to celebrate

the Chinese New Year!

Speaker 19:

"Gung Hay Fat Choy" is what we say,

in China on our New Years Day.

Cymbals, drums, and lions,

colored red and gold,

welcome in the new year

and chase away the old.

Speaker 20:

A scaly, scary dragon comes - he's really quite a sight!

I hope he doesn't give you an awful fright!

(Lion parade comes up aisle and onto stage.)

MUSIC: (Chinese Dragon Dance with cymbals, gongs, and drums. Lantern holders and streamer dancers are in the parade. When the parade is on stage, the lion and others go to the side, and the streamer dancers perform to "Gong Xi.")

SONG: GONG XI (streamers dancers perform)

Traveler:

The Chinese Festival of Lanterns

is truly quite a sight!

The New Year of the [ENTER THIS YEAR'S CHINESE HOROSCOPE ANIMAL]

will be quite a delight.

Thanks for sharing your holiday,

but now I must be on my way!

TRAVELING MUSIC: UNITED STATES (Santa, 2 elves, a Christmas tree, and two reindeer go off risers, dress, and get ready to come on for "Rock Around The Jingle Bells." Speakers 21 and 22 to mics.)

SCENE 8

(Traveler enters.)

CHOIR: Hi! Hello! Hey!

Traveler: What's that you say?

Speaker 21:

You're back home in the U.S.A.

"Welcome Back!" is what we say!

We know you liked to travel,

but we're glad you're home again.

Come and celebrate with Santa and his gang.

SONG: ROCK AROUND THE JINGLE BELLS (with Santa and Christmas character dancers)

Traveler:

Even though I liked to roam,

it sure is great to be back home!

I've seen the world both day and night,

and joined in many festivals of light.

I discovered that we all share

the same moon, stars, and sun

and that we love to celebrate,

with lights and feasts and fun.

Speaker 22:

That's true, but you don't have to travel far to learn,

that each one of us has a light inside that burns.

We all have a special glow about us, and it's true,

that when we smile and share our light,

it travels out to you.

SONG: LIGHT THE CANDLES ALL AROUND THE WORLD (candle choreography) (from Music K-8, Vol. 7, No. 2)

BOW MUSIC: IN THE SPIRIT (from Music K-8, Vol. 18, No. 2)

THE END!