Christmas Music

Events and programs scheduled this week at senior citizens centers in Washington County, Md. and Franklin County, Pa.: Maryland Francis Murphy 20014 Rosebank Way, Hagerstown 240-313-9300, ext. 154 Lunch served Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m.; and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Bingo - Monday, 9:30 a.m. Uno, cards or games - Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. ...

Hancock will be all lit up this Saturday night. The 17th annual luminaria display in the three historic High Street cemeteries begins at sundown. The adjoining cemeteries are owned by St. Thomas' Episcopal, St. Peter's Catholic and Hancock Presbyterian churches. Turn off Main Street onto Church Street, then right on High Street to drive through the cemeteries. About 2,500 candles in bags will be placed by church volunteers and local Girl Scouts. Hancock's Boy Scouts Troop 15 will handle the cleanup the next day. After visiting the cemeteries, visitors can drive to Widmeyer Park to see candles lit in honor of veterans, placed by Hancock in Motion.

When a high school student recently entered my classroom softly singing “Joy to the World,” her pleasant countenance made me smile. There's something about fall that turns our hearts toward the home, the hearth and the holidays. Yes, it is only October, but holiday performances are right around the corner, and our high school choir is working on Christmas music. Weeks of preparation are needed so that everyone knows the words, the notes, the timing. Likewise, our church choir has been working on Christmas music for a few weeks now, too. Cantatas require a lot of practice, so we're doing what we can to prepare.

It was a concert that was more than a year in the making. Maryland Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Andrew Kipe said “Home for the Holidays” was scheduled to be performed in December 2009. Then, more than 2 feet of snow blanketed the Hagerstown area and organizers were forced to cancel the show. “We had it all lined up, so we just said, ‘Well, we’ll do it next year,’” Kipe said. “We’re thankful for the good weather this year.

The top five things to do this week Happy holidays from the MSO The Maryland Symphony Orchestra hopes to prove there's no place like home at its annual holiday concert, "Home for the Holidays," on Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20, at The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. See story . It's elementary The Full Circle Theater Company of Shepherdstown, W.Va., presents "Holmes & Watson. " Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, Dec. 20. 'A Christmas Portrait' Potomac Playmakers presents its Christmas revue Friday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 20. $10, general admission.

The Potomac Heights Elementary School band traveled around to the school's classrooms to serenade everyone with Christmas music. The band is led by William Mott. Mr. Sawtelle's first-grade class serenaded the office staff with "Oh Welcome to Winter Town. "

WAYNESBORO, PA. - Santa Claus came to Waynesboro on Saturday night to illuminate the three trees clustered on each corner of the square. Waynesboro's annual tree-lighting ceremony, "Yuletide in Waynesboro," included entertainment, giveaways, kettle corn, hot chocolate and a 7-foot candy cane. "It's just a way for people to come down and get the holidays off on the right foot," said Carole Malin, manager of Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc. She said a Christmas committee made up of people from Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc. and the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce decided to have three trees on each corner of the square.

HAGERSTOWN - Joseph Wolfe said he didn't want to be overlooked this year by Santa, so the 7-year-old took matters into his own hands. As children gathered around Santa during the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony Monday on Public Square in Hagerstown, Joseph, wearing a hat that said, "Tiny Elf," muscled through the crowd to let his holiday wish list be known. "I asked for a FurReal Pony," Joseph said. "I tell (Santa) every single year. But what do I get ... Something different.

HAGERSTOWN - Christmas was celebrated in a small part of Hagerstown Sunday. On a balmy July evening, nearly 200 people tapped their feet to Christmas tunes performed by the Hagerstown Municipal Band. The performance was part of the group's summer concert series, which will continue through Aug. 19. Jessica Tiffany, 19, of Shepherdstown, W.Va., said she attended last week's show and liked the music so much that she returned Sunday. Craig Weaver of Hagerstown said he knows from past performances that the band will not play in the rain.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Musicians toting recorders, viols and other Renaissance-era instruments will converge in Shepherdstown to perform Christmas music popular 600 years ago. Shepherdstown Music & Dance, a collective of local musicians and dancers, will host a holiday candlelight concert Saturday night at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. The concert will feature three acts - the Ballata Recorder Ensemble, Singin' the Bones and Hesperus - which will all perform Renaissance-era music, said organizer Joanie Blanton.