A multi-cultural December Holiday show


"Songs of the Season" is a multi-cultural musical celebration of the winter holidays including Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. The music include selections from general Yuletide music, Christmas, Gospel Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa. Songs are sung in English, Hebrew, Ladino, French, Spanish and Swahili. The origins of the holidays are explained, and to make the program more festive, the Performers can dress in Victorian period costumes. The music can be completely secular if requested. Robin Greenstein can either perform solo or in a duo along with Cecilia Kirtland, with accompaniment on guitars, pennywhistle and various percussion instruments including jingle bells. It is a wonderful and fun holiday program that engages people from all walks of life, and all ages.

   
in Victorian costume    

Scroll down below to hear sound clips from this show.


Songs of the Season has been performed at
Over a dozen Brooklyn and Queens Public Library Branches, NYC Lindenhurst Memorial Library, L.I., NY C.W. Post / L.I. University, NY
Rutgers University, NJ Southold Historical Society, LI Islip K-2 School, L.I., NY
Centenary College, NJ Univ. of Delaware College of New Jersey, Ewing
Danbury Library, CT Silas Bronson Library, Waterbury, CT Hamden Library, CT
Univ of Conn. - Stamford East Hartford Public Library, CT Bloomfield Public Library, NJ
East Stroudsberg Univ., PA Raritan Valley Comm. College, NJ Pearl River Library, NY
Tenafly Library, NJ Paramus Library, NJ Univ. of New Haven, CT
     


The Brooklyn Public Library raves about "Songs of the Season"!

Highlawn branch: "They loved the show and kids participated playing assorted instruments..."

Marcy branch: "The kids were most enthusiastic and actively participated"

Clinton Hill branch: "Everyone really enjoyed it. We would love to have them (Robin and Cecilia) back again"

East Flatbush branch: "Most enthusiastic. Children young and old joined in signing along with the performers."

"They rocked our little branch like the storm that was raging outside that day. Robin Greenstein and Cecilia Kirtland sang and played lively covers of Christmas jingles on their amplified guitars. Their singing showed impressive strength and range, varying from hushed, gentle lullaby to energetic pop to swaggering rock. Instrumentally Robin and Cecilia complemented each other well, one playing arpeggiated chords and riffs when the other was playing rhythm. They got both a dulcet, pure sound from their acoustics and a baser, raw sound for their 'Stones-y' rocker, 'Let's Make a Baby King.'"

"Midway through the set, they varied the tempo of their performance by playing rhythmic, chanting Kwanzaa songs. They also played a few Hanukkah songs that roused the kids into dancing and smiles. After a few songs, [they] handed out bells and tambourines to the children. The musicians prefered to keep the songs flowing, delivering the goods with a no-holds-barred gusto that would have made female folk-rock guitar acts (like Heart) proud!" (Alex Locke - East Flatbush)

Main Branch, Grand Army Plaza: "Robin Greenstein and Cecilia Kirtland gave a professional, interactive performance that had the kids banging on rhythm instruments and singing along gleefully. They seemed comfortable with a variety of songs and styles and played a full range of multicultural holiday tunes. They engaged the audience interactively with banter, and gave interesting explanations of some of the lesser-known pieces they played. The audience, small though it was, was enthusiastic and enjoyed the program tremendously." Susan Asis, Program Specialist

"Children and teachers were taken with their program which was beautiful to listen to and extremely informative to all. I was particularly impressed with the excitement and joy they generated in our youngest students. We immediately decided that we wanted to make them a holiday tradition at our school"
Diane Druckman, Principal, Islip K-2 Center, Islip, NY

"The holiday show last year was great and we would like to have you back at RVCC."
Mary Sullivan, Director of Student Life, Raritan Valley Comm. College, Somerville, NJ

"Your lovely voices combined with the Victorian costumes and your wonderful playing was a special pleasure. The selections... were truly remarkable and respectful of the multi-cultural society we live in. Your program is unique and inspiring."
Melissa Andruski, Southhold Historical Society, Southold, NY

Sound Clips:

1. Winter Wonderland/Jingle Bells
2. Hanukah Medley
3. Habari Gani - a Kwanzaa song
4. Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. Silent Night/Noche de Paz
6. Deck The Halls