The Gift of Music

Gift List for Music Students

To help out Santa, parents, grandparents and others trying to select holiday gifts for young musicians, we’ve created a list of simple ideas to help celebrate the season. Many items are available for purchase at CYM:

• Stockings stuffed with Percussion Instruments and Puppets. For Toddlers up through young instrumentalists, these musical toys help keep the fun going at home. See more great ideas for enjoying these items on the posters near CYM retail displays. 
•  A Basket of Listening. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions on favorite composers and performances. Place CDs, or gift cards with a note of suggested recordings attached, in a basket along with new ear buds, warm socks and your child’s favorite candy – all the things she needs to lie back and listen.
•  Practice Tool Kit. You may already have the basics at home, but perhaps an upgrade would encourage your student? Think metronomes, tuners, lights, music-themed pencils and erasers, picks, rosen, composition paper, stools, etc.
• Films with Great Soundtracks. From “Fantasia” to videos of “The Nutcracker Ballet” and your favorite action flicks, there is some great music to be found at the movies. Look also for films made about composers and musical groups.
• Your Favorite Music. Share the gift of your choice in music, and maybe you’ll make another fan. 

Holiday gifts from Music Students

Music is a unique and special gift, and it won’t eat up your allowance savings. Here are some extra-special ways that music students can give to others this year. We’ll bet your music will be just the thing to bring a smile to your family and friends.

• Prepare a candlelight performance. Ask a grownup for help in setting up and lighting candles in the living room, or other place where you like to play. Design and decorate your own programs. You can even pass out tickets, if you like.
• Hot chocolate and music. As long as the weather is not too cold or wet, invite your family outdoors for a festive concert. Ask for help filling a thermos with hot chocolate or cider for your audience to enjoy.
• Long-distance recital. Have a friend or relative who lives far away, and who you won’t get to see this holiday? Arrange a time that you will play for them over Skype or FaceTime, or even over the phone.
• Record a ring tone. Offer to play a few lines of your favorite piece for your friend or parent to record as a ring tone on their mobile phone.
• Complaint-free practices. Make gift coupons for your parent to redeem for “30 minutes of Practice with No Complaining.”
• Share with a Sibling. Create a gift certificate for a younger brother or sister promising 10 minutes of getting to touch your instrument with your help, or playing along with you on a drum, or whatever other way your siblings like to share in your music.