Performed by Julie Hinton, Vera Lugo, Brian Benning, Rene Ruiz and Milos Veljkovic
Featuring the holiday arrangements of Julie Hinton
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:30pm

PROGRAM

  • O Come, O Come Emmanuel
  • Go Tell It (to the Trashed Camp)
  • Angels We Have Heard On High
  • In the Bleak Midwinter
  • Away in a Manger
  • Baby Shower in Bethlehem
  • Chanukah in Santa Monica
  • Silent Night
  • Ready for Christmas
  • Suzy Snowflake
  • Zat You, Santa Claus?
  • Do You Want to Build a Snowman
  • Merry Monsters
  • White Elephant
  • Nuttin’ for Christmas
  • All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
  • Second Noel
  • Wonderful Christmastime
  • Kidnap an Elf
  • What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve/Auld Lang Syne


SONG INFORMATION

** If it says “link,” there is a link embedded even though you might not be able to see it colored on your device. Go ahead and click on it! **

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Traditional carol
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement link

O come, o come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, o Israel

O come, thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, o Israel

O Come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, o Israel

Go Tell It (to the Trashed Camp)

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” by John W. Work
“Trashin’ the Camp” by Phil Collins
Arranged by Julie Hinton

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn.

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching over silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens, a light.

Jesus Christ is born!

Angels We Have Heard On High

Traditional French Carol
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

Gloria, in excelsis deo!
Gloria, in excelsis deo!

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Christ the Lord, the newborn King. 
Gloria!

In the Bleak Midwinter

Music by Gustav Holst, Words by Christina Rosetti
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter long ago.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air,
But His mother only in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.
Give my heart.

Away in a Manger

Lyrics by Charles H. Gabriel, Music by James R. Murray
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

Baby Shower in Bethlehem

By Julie Hinton and Diego Hellewell
Arranged by Julie Hinton
From The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular! (link)

Ladies, there's a situation I must bring to light.
A couple had their baby in our stable just last night.
They're here from out of town and don't have anyone they know,
And so I have decided that it's up to us to throw ... 

A baby shower in Bethlehem, it doesn't have to be splashy.
It's kind of last-minute, so let's do what we can. 
I mean, who the heck travels in their third trimester?
A baby shower in Bethlehem. It's their first, 
So they're going to need everything.
I'm sure the dad built an incredible crib, 
but it's all the way back in Jerusalem.

There's a baby shower in Bethlehem, but don't nobody tell Herod.
I mean, we wouldn't want to bother him anyway, 
And he doesn't seem the type that would appreciate
A baby shower in Bethlehem, at least not in the way that we would.
By the way, where are all these shepherds coming from, 
And how did they know about this before I did?

Okay, here's what I'm thinking: a rustic theme. 
I mean, we're already here in a barn.
We'll need some fresh hay, but in bales to sit on. 
There has to be something that I'm forgetting …
A baby shower in Bethlehem ... We haven't even talked about food!
Let's keep it simple–we'll make it potluck. 
The animals will probably eat it anyway.

Are you ready for the baby shower in Bethlehem? 
We've brought all the presents and punch.
Should we all burst in and just shout, “Surprise!” 
Well, that wouldn't be polite if the baby is sleeping.
If the baby is sleeping in Bethlehem, 
Let's just tidy the room up.
We don't have to make them feel like royalty. 
We can skip all the games and festivities.
Just a simple act of charity can make all the difference. 
Happy to help!

Chanukah in Santa Monica

By Tom Lehrer
Arranged by Julie Hinton

I'm spending Chanukah in Santa Monica
Wearing sandals, lighting candles by the sea.
I spent Shavuos in East St. Louis,
A charming spot but clearly not the spot for me.
Those eastern winters, I can't endure 'em,
So every year I pack my gear and come out here til Purim.
Rosh Hashona, I spend in Arizona,
And Yom Kippa, way down in Mississippa.
But in December there's just one place for me.
Amid the California flora I'll be lighting my menorah.
Like a baby in his cradle I'll be playing with a dreidl,
Spending Chanukah in Santa Monica by the sea.

Like a baby in his cradle I'll be playing with my dreidl,
Here's to Judas Maccabeus, boy, if he could only see us
Spending Chanukah in Santa Monica by the sea.

Silent Night

By Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child, holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia,
Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant, beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Ready For Christmas

By Julie Hinton

Am I ready for Christmas?  Are my lights up on the eaves?
Are the wreaths hung in the doorways, stockings on the mantelpiece?
Did I purchase the right tinsel for my classy Christmas tree?
It's so easy to think I'm done, but have I thought of everything?

Am I ready for Christmas? Are my gifts under the tree?
Did I find the perfect treasures for those who mean so much to me?
Am I ready for the parties and the family gatherings?
I just want this year to be perfect.  Have I forgotten anything?

Have I opened my heart to feel Christ's spirit? 
Have I opened my ears to hear His words?
Have I opened my mouth to sing His praises?
Have I opened my arms to share His love?

Am I ready for Christmas?  I still worry for the feast.
Do I purchase all the trimmings or do I find the recipes?
Can I make it to the concerts?  Will I hear the caroling?
Something's missing from my season.  It doesn't feel the same to me.

Let me open my heart to feel Christ's spirit.
Let me open my ears to hear His words.
Let me open my mouth to sing His praises.
Let me open my arms to share His love.

How can I be ready?  It's over far too soon.
Why do I focus on so much, yet always feel I just make do.
Christ is the heart of Christmas, so let's try to start anew
And keep His memory all around
So that the Christmas spirit always shines through!

See me open my heart to feel Christ's spirit.
Watch me open my ears to hear His words.
Hear me open my mouth to sing His praises.
Feel me open my arms to share His love.

It feels like Christmas when I feel of His love.

Suzy Snowflake

By Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett
Arranged by Julie Hinton

Here comes Suzy Snowflake dressed in a snow-white gown
Tap, tap, tapping at your windowpane to tell you she's in town

Here comes Suzy Snowflake soon you will hear her say,
“Come out everyone and play with me. I haven't long to stay.”

If you want to make a snowman, I'll help you make one. One, two, three
If you want to take a sleigh ride, the ride's on me

Here comes Suzy Snowflake. Look at her tumbling down
Bringing joy to every girl and boy. Suzy's come to town
Suzy's coming!

Suzy's come to town.

Zat You, Santa Claus?

By Jack Fox
Arranged by Julie Hinton

Gifts I'm preparing for some Christmas sharing
But I pause because
Hanging my stocking, I can hear a knocking
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Sure is dark out, ain't the slightest spark out
'Pon my clackin' jaw
Who's there? Who is it stopping for a visit?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Are you bringing a present for me?
Something pleasantly pleasant for me?
Then it's just what I've been waiting for.
Would you mind slipping it under the door?

Cold winds are howling, or could that be growling?
My legs feel like straws.
My, my, oh, me, my, kindly will you reply?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Yes, hanging the stocking, I can hear a knocking
Is that you, Santa Claus?

I say, who's there? Who is it? You stopping for a visit?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Oh, there, Santa, you gave me a scare
Now stop teasing 'cause I know you're there
We don't believe in no goblins today
But I can't explain why I'm shaking that way

Bet I can see ole Santa in the keyhole
I'll get to the cause
One peek and I'll try there, oh, oh, there's an eye there
'Zat you, Santa Claus?

Please, please, pity my knees
Say that's you, Santa Claus
That's him alright

Do You Want to Build a Snowman

By Robert Joseph Lopez and Kristen Jane Anderson
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

Do you wanna build a snowman? Come on let's go and play
I never see you any more, come out the door
It's like you've gone away!
We used to be best buddies and now we're not
I wish you would tell me why
Do you wanna build a snowman? It doesn't have to be a snowman
Okay, bye

Do you wanna build a snowman or ride our bike around the halls?
I think some company is overdue. I've started talking to the pictures on the walls!
It gets a little lonely, all these empty rooms
Just watching the hours tick by

Tick, tock

Please, I know you're in there. People are asking where you've been
They say, "Have courage", and I'm trying to. I'm right out here for you
Just let me in
We only have each other. It's just you and me
What are we gonna do?
Do you wanna build a snowman?

Merry Monsters

By Diego Hellewell and Julie Hinton
Arranged by Julie Hinton
From The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular! (link)
Snowmanity album link
YouTube lyric video link
Arrangement Link

Candy, candy everywhere. The holidays are in the air,
And all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!
Hurry, hurry, run and hide! Put up the lights and get back inside,
Cause all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!

Forget about the reindeer, you won’t see any this year.
The zombie’s gonna eat your brain dear, if we don’t hightail it outta here!

Little goblins dressed as elves, a werewolf howling at the silver bells,
And all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!
A mummy wrapped in ribbons and bows, a scarecrow dancing with a Rudolph nose,
It’s all the monsters from Halloween, hanging around until Christmas!

Forget about the reindeer, you won’t see any this year.
The zombie’s gonna eat your brain dear, if we don’t hightail it outta here!

Ho ho ho, hold your breath, he's eight feet tall and green as death.
FrankenSanta’s stomping through the door.
All the good little ghouls are in attendance, 
Here comes the ghost of Christmas Presents.
Is that Dracula winking at me under the mistletoe? 
Well, hello there tall, dark and dangerous!

Hurry, hurry, come and see the merry monsters around the tree!
Cause all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!
Candy, candy everywhere. The holidays are in the air,
Cause all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!
And all the monsters from Halloween are hanging around until Christmas!

White Elephant

Music by Irving Berlin. Alternate lyrics by Diego Hellewell and Julie Hinton
Arranged by Julie Hinton
From The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular! (link)

I'm dreaming of a white elephant!  Just like the color of the snow.
Where the ribbons glisten, and gifts transition between all the folks you know.

I'm dreaming of a white elephant, and all the promise of the night.
May the gift you open be right, and may all your elephants be white.

I draw my number, it's now my turn. I consider what's been unwrapped.
But I'm no thieving elf, so I decide to unwrap one myself.
The next guy quickly gets out of his seat and snatches the gift sitting at my feet.
How dare he!

I'm scheming for my white elephant.  The gloves are off, I play for keeps.
Instead of getting stuck with some dumb stuff that I don't really need,
Some useless garbage as-seen-on-tv. 

I'm keeping all my white elephant. Don't misinterpret this for greed.
Just concede you're losing this fight!
And find your own dang elephant of white

Nuttin’ for Christmas

By Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

I broke my bat on Johnny's head. Somebody snitched on me
I hid a frog in sister's bed. Somebody snitched on me
I spilled some ink on Mommy's rug, I made Tommy eat a bug
Bought some gum with a penny slug. Somebody snitched on me, oh

Oh, I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas, Mommy and Daddy are mad
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas 'cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad

I put a tack on teacher's chair. Somebody snitched on me
I tied a knot in Susie's hair. Somebody snitched on me
I did a dance on Mommy's plants, climbed a tree and tore my pants
Filled the sugar bowl with ants. Somebody snitched on me

Oh, I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas, Mommy and Daddy are mad
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas 'cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad

I won't be seeing Santa Claus. Somebody snitched on me.
He won't come visit me because somebody snitched on me.
Next year I'll be going straight. Next year, I'll be good. Just wait!
I'd start now, but it's too late. Somebody snitched on me.

Oh, I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas, Mommy and Daddy are mad
I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas 'cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad

Oh, so you better be good, whatever you do, 'cause if you're bad, I'm warning you
You'll get nuttin' for Christmas!

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

By Don Gardner
Arranged by Julie Hinton

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you, Merry Christmas

It's been so long since I could say, "Sister Suzy, sitting on a thistle"
Every time I try to speak, all I do is whistle

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you, Merry Christmas

Good old Santa Claus and all his reindeer, 
They used to bring me lots of toys and candy.
Gee, but now when I go out and call, “Dancer, Prancer, Donner and Blitzen,” 
None of 'em can understand me!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
My two front teeth, see my two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth
Then I could wish you, Merry Christmas
Christmas. Christmas 
Aw, for goodness sakes, happy new year!

Second Noel

By Julie Hinton, Diego Hellewell & Neil Devor
Arranged by Julie Hinton
From The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular! (link)
Quarantine Album Link
YouTube Lyric Video Link
Arrangement Link

This may not be the first noel, 
But if you take a second to step outside yourself
You just might recognize – ooh – what the season's all about.
Ooh – what the season's all about.

This time of year, it's easy to forget what really matters, 
And where your heart should be.
But if you're willing to see, the lights aren't just for the tree.
They make the world all around to shine.

This may not be the first noel, 
But if you take a second to step outside yourself
You just might recognize – ooh – what the season's all about.
Ooh – what the season's all about.

I close my eyes and listen to the sounds the season offers, 
But only noise abounds.
But if you're willing to hear a message deeper than cheer,
A song can fill all the world with joy!

So if you're willing to give, the gifts aren't just for the kids.
And if you're willing to love, be that light from above!
And if it's just for one season, we can change the world.

This may not be the first noel, 
But if you take a second to step outside yourself
You just might recognize – ooh – what the season's all about.
Ooh – what the season's all about.  All about.
Ooh – what the season's all about.

Wonderful Christmastime

By Paul McCartney
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

The mood is right. The spirit's up
We're here tonight, and that's enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

The party's on. The feeling's here
That only comes this time of year
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding
Ooh, ooh-doo, doo-doo, doo doo-doo
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

The word is out about the town
To lift a glass and don't look down
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong

The mood is right. The spirit's up
We're here tonight and that's enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

Oh-oh-oh-oh
Christmastime

Kidnap an Elf

By Julie Hinton and Diego Hellewell
Arranged by Julie Hinton
From The Big American Winter Holiday Musical Spectacular! (link)
Live Performance 2018 Link

This Christmas, it's all a wash. 
I've been a bad girl, I'm not getting a thing that I want.
I'm on the naughty list – nothing left to lose! I'm on the naughty list.
I don't need Santa. I'll do it all myself.
I'm taking these matters into my own hands. Gonna kidnap an elf!

Elves make the presents, they build all the toys.
If he's chained to the workbench then he won't have a choice.
He's gonna make em – my toys! He's gonna make em.
His talent is wasted, just sitting on that shelf. 
I'll maximize all of that elven potential. I'll kidnap that elf!

He'll be my golden goose, my personal toy store. 
I can't believe I never thought of this before.
I'll open the floodgates, those gifts will always flow.
I'll never let him go!

I'm on the warpath. You better watch out!
I know where you're hiding and I'm going to track you down.
Oh yes, I'm coming for you – Yeah, you! Oh yes, I'm coming for you. 
I've seen Santa's Village. I've been there myself.
It's down at the mall and so that's where I'll cunningly kidnap an elf!

A kid I know suggested elves may not be real.
He said it's all a lie, but I don't see the appeal.
I've got the proof. Ain't gonna tell him how, 
But look who's talking now!

This Christmas, it's all a wash. 
I've been a bad girl, I'm not getting a thing that I want.
I'm on the naughty list – proud to be here! I'm on the naughty list.
I don't need Santa. I did it all myself.
I finally captured the spirit of Christmas. I kidnapped an elf!

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve/Auld Lang Syne

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” by Frank Loesser
“Auld Lang Syne” lyrics by Robert Burns, music traditional
Arranged by Julie Hinton
Arrangement Link

Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?

Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year, New Year's Eve

Maybe I'm crazy to suppose I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations you received

Ah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of the thousand invitations you received

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne.
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet for auld lang syne.
Ah, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance
What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?
What are you doing New Year's Eve?

MUSICIANS

Julie Hinton is a singer, composer, arranger, conductor, actor, audiobook narrator and more. She can be seen on local stages, heard on soundtracks worldwide, and regularly performs at churches, events, and recordings all around Los Angeles. For variety, she also moonlights as a professional organizer and graduation name-reader. juliehinton.net

Vera Lugo is a vocal artist and composer from San Juan Capistrano, California. Active in many ensembles throughout Southern California, she works as a professional chorister, session singer, and composer/arranger. She enjoys utilizing her large vocal range in a variety of musical settings and performs with C3LA and a Yes cover band, to name a couple. In her spare time, Vera can be found singing harmonies with The Beatles and arranging songs on a dinky toy piano. www.veralugo.com

Brian Benning  is a professional freelance violinist and singer.  As a violinist, he has recorded with many of the great artists of our time such as Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, Neil Diamond, and many others.  As a singer, he freelances with several professional caroling groups, sings tenor in a paid quartet every Sunday, has sung on stage with Adele, Sam Smith and Mary J Blige as well as singing on movies and recording sessions.  He also freelances on violin in orchestras around Southern California and with the Juneau symphony. 

Rene Ruiz is a singer, composer, arranger, conductor, actor, audiobook narrator and more. He can be seen on local stages, heard on soundtracks worldwide, and regularly performs at churches, events, and recordings all around Los Angeles. For variety, he also moonlights as a professional teacher and graduation name-reader. ReneRuizVoice.com

Miloš Veljković has performed as a pianist and a chamber musician all over Europe (The Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Germany, Norway). He performed and recorded music of some of the most important Serbian composers, most of which was organized by the Academy of Science and Arts of Serbia and the Radio Television of Serbia. Since 2017 Miloš has been based in Los Angeles and has collaborated with the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera and many classical music professionals, performers and composers alike.

BINGO!

If you’ve scrolled down this far, you’re clearly bored. Try this BINGO FOR BOREDOM to help you pay attention. 😉 Most of these are mentioned more than once throughout the program. HERE is a link to a pdf of it that you could e-write on in the proper app.

WinterJubileeSanta ClausBethlehemNew Year
12 o’clockMangerFrankenSantaGloriaRejoice
CradleChoirFREEBlitzenHay
PartyNaughty ListWise ManShepherdsUnwrapped
SnowmanNoelGiftsCradleStocking