CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter, December 2010

Of all the songs sung at Christmas,
perhaps the most popular is Stille Nacht(Silent Night). The words, in German,
were written by an Austrian priest,
Joseph Mohr, in 1816. On Christmas
Eve two years later Mohr gave thewords to his friend Franz Gruber, aheadmaster, and asked him to set themto music. Gruber composed a melody
and arranged it for two solo voices andchoir with guitar accompaniment, andlater the same day the song wasperformed at the Nikolaus-Kirche(Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf,Austria. The slightly unusual choice ofthe guitar may have been because thechurch organ was broken at the time.
Others claim that Mohr, a guitarist,wanted a song he could perform byhimself to his own accompaniment. The
original flowing, dance-like tune is alittle different to the version we arefamiliar with, which is slower, almost
like a lullaby.
The English translation that is
generally sung today was published in1859 by an American bishop, John
Freeman Young. Since then, Silent Nighthas been translated into over 44
languages and performed by, among
others, Simon and Garfunkel, Bing
Crosby, Elvis Presley, Christina Aguilera
and Susan Boyle, as well as – in more
traditional style - the King’s CollegeChoir and the Vienna Boys’ Choir.

During World War I, the song wassung simultaneously in French, English
and German by troops during theChristmas truce of 1914, being one ofthe few carols that soldiers on bothsides of the front line knew.
Perhaps the most beautiful of all
carols, Silent Night - whicheverlanguage it is sung in - is anindispensable part of the Christmas
season.

Article by Jonathan

Young Singers from the Exeter Cathedral ChoirNET LESSONS: Try our lessons on theInternet! It’s CROSSROADS in your homeor office! Call for details: 089 9217595

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Get lyrics and music for Silent Night at this site:www.links2love.com/christmassheetmusic/silentnight-sheet-music.htm
CROSSSROADS ON MIXI: Check it out!
http://mixi.jp/show_profile.pl?id=30381548

Joshua Says: Last month’s performance party had all the usual fun andexcitement, and I’d like, once again, to congratulate those students who
performed – excellent work everyone! Thanks to Jonathan, too, for his
performance with the guitar – solo and in accompaniment with Yuriko. I was,however, a little disappointed with the unusually low turn out of students thistime – must have been a “busy” day for most of you. Anyway, for those who
missed it, you can check out some of the action here on P3.

Junko Says: The “Working Holiday” experience may become increasingly
important for Japanese people in the future. Companies such as Rakuten and Unicro
are promoting English as their language for everyday communication. They are now
starting to encourage their staff to use English, not just pass tests in English.
Crossroads has now developed practical business English courses to support thismovement. We also have much more information on working holiday programs. I’dvery much like to share this information with many of you.

Jonathan Says: I have always admired the fortune-teller whosits in Okaido after the shops have shut. Like a heron, she waits
impassively, not moving, waiting for the kill. So I was surprised
to hear her call out, ‘Good evening’, to a passersby. Businessmust be tough – and perhaps for many others in Japan now. I
wonder if she knows what the future will bring.

Greg Says: The end of the year is once again upon us as the Christmas lights
flicker in the mall to the echo of the drunken salarymen and office ladies
returning from their never ending end-of-year parties. I will be spending this“winter” on the beach back in Australia where, of course, it is summer. I hope you
all have a great Christmas and a healthy New Year. Remember that the real joyof Christmas is in the giving (not receiving) and making someone happy…so goahead, send me a present and make me happy…hahaha….

Kevin Dit: Décembre est finalement arrivé ! Comme vous le savez peutêtre, décembre est un mois particulier pour les Français, comme c'est le casdans de nombreux pays. Si la température est parfois glaciale, l'atmosphèreest, elle, plus chaleureuse qu'au milieu du mois d'août, les gens étant portéspar la ferveur de Noël, qui est une fête totalement différente de ce que vouspouvez connaître au Japon... penser à Noël m'emplit toujours de nostalgie.
J'espère qu'il sera magnifique, particulièrement cette année...

In(B)2
performing”Old Flame”

Jonathanaccompanied
Yumiko through threesongs, then gave us asolo performance on
the guitar

In(A)1
with,”I am aCat”
Relaxing with somegood wine and foodafter the performances

Yukako Ozake in B1 went to Spain recently. Here are some of her impressions and photos:“I went to Spain with my friend in October. We first arrived in Finland and then went on to Spain from there.
I had a very enjoyable time in Spain. On the way back to Finland I made contact with some nice people. Someforeigners were sitting next to me. I think they were Spanish. I thought they would not be able tounderstand my English, but I wanted to go to the toilet! I tried to ask in English, “I’m sorry. I want to go tothe toilet”. They said, “no problem” and smiled at me. I felt reassured and happy they could understand me.
Speaking English made me feel very happy. I want to speak English with people from many countries, now!”
A post-box (top) and, at the bank.

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