The Fascinating Stories Behind the Most Popular Christmas Songs (In-Person)
Fall (2-3 hours) | Available (Membership Required)
There are fascinating stories behind the popular Christmas songs you’ve heard all your life. Join us to learn about the real story behind our most popular Christmas songs, including two that were written in a heat wave, the first Christmas song recorded by an African American, the conspiracy controversy surrounding Baby, Its Cold Outside, the two gold record Christmas songs sung by a 10- and 14-year-old, the Jewish composer who wrote the most played Christmas song of all time, the Christmas song written for retailer Montgomery Ward, and why a Brighton, NY school district banned Jingle Bells. Two hours of history, including video performances by Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Brenda Lee, Darlene Love, and many more.
This course will be presented in a lecture format.
- There are no required books for this course.
John Peterman
John Peterman retired to the New London area after serving for 23 years as Head of an elementary school in Massachusetts. Throughout his life, John has been a public speaker and a mid-20th-century music and film enthusiast. His Osher courses on film and music include “Movie Stars Born in 1919, 1920, 1921”; “Comedy in Movies and TV 1960-1964”; “Girl Groups of the ‘60s”; and “Why Must I Be a Teenager in Love: Movies, TV, and Music, 1954- 1964”. John also serves on Osher’s Leadership Council.