(StatePoint) The holiday season is the perfect time of year to bring the gift of music into others’ lives. Here are four thoughtful ways to do so:
• Holiday Caroling: Spread cheer and musical joy by caroling in your community. Some caroling groups perform at nursing homes and shelters, while others pound the pavement with the purpose of raising money for a good cause. Consider forming your own charity caroling group and donating the proceeds to the coffers of a local music education program.
• Gift an Instrument: Give a loved one the tools needed to create music at home. Whether you’re shopping for a novice or a professional, today’s portable digital pianos are equipped with smart features that will suit your recipient’s needs. With a sleek glossy panel and unibody chassis, the PX-S1000 from Casio, for example, evokes a high-end acoustic grand in a slender design that’s not much larger than the keys themselves. A fully weighted Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard provides an uncompromising piano touch with a proprietary key scaling system that reproduces the characteristics of each of the 88 notes.
• Gift a Performance: Check local listings for upcoming concerts and performances and give your favorite music enthusiasts tickets to a show. Many venues offer gift certificates, which will give recipients the opportunity to select their own gifts.
• Host a Movie Marathon: When it comes to most holiday movies, it’s all about the soundtrack, and some of the most pivotal scenes hinge on song and dance. For your holiday party this year, considering hosting a movie marathon. Invite all your friends and family to enjoy the sounds of the season. You can even bill it as a sing-along.
While music powerfully enriches lives every day of the year, the holiday season presents some special opportunities for making and enjoying it.