Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

This week we celebrate Veterans Day. Originally Armistice Day celebrating the end of World War I the day eventually became a celebration of all those who had served in the US Armed Forces.

Thank you to the US Military – the largest employer of musicians in the world! And thank you to all our veterans throughout the years!

This is a great opportunity – go play at a Veterans Hospital or Nursing Home or play on the street with a sign telling people that you’re celebrating or play a benefit and donate to a Veterans charity. Snap a photo and share it with us while we show appreciation to those who pledged their lives to defend ours.

Today is Armistice Day, Veteran’s Day, Remembrance Day – no matter what it is called where you live, it is an opportunity to remember the fallen who gave their lives so we could enjoy ours in peace and freedom.

That seems like a good reason to give them their due through music. There are so many things you could do at this point –

• You could commemorate the original armistice and play the tunes of the day – there were some great tunes written at that time including Keep the Home Fires Burning, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, or Carry Me Back to Ol’ Virginnie
• You could play music from other post war eras including anything from Irving Berlin
• You could compose your own pieces
• you could play in a number of places including a VA home or for a veteran’s group or another civic group
• You could, of course, do nothing

Just play – and enjoy that you can in peace!

It’s winter and the holiday season.  We’re all typically in demand at this time – nothing says winter holidays like having a harp at your festive event.  The question sometimes is what should you play?  We all know that holiday music can get a little wearing, especially later in the season and if it is non-stop.

What do you like to play for parties?  Which holiday tunes to do you include?  Any you specifically leave out? Are there any “everyday” tunes you you opt out of the set?  Anything you play specifically for your family or tunes you only play for gigs?  I’d love to hear what you’re playing – let me know in the comments!

And until then, keep practicing!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!