Warm, reflective, and deeply expressive, Photos from December by Randall Standridge is a lyrical Grade 2 holiday work that captures the feeling of looking back on cherished memories. Original melodies are gently interwoven with subtle hints of familiar carols, appearing like fragments of the past before fading once more.

Rich harmonies and flowing lines create a sense of comfort and nostalgia, balanced with a quiet touch of longing. Thoughtful and accessible, Photos from December offers young ensembles an opportunity to explore expressive playing while providing a meaningful and heartfelt addition to any holiday concert.

Program Notes

The older I get, the more nostalgic Christmas becomes. I was very fortunate to grow up in a large family. My father is one of ten children, so our holiday gatherings were always big, loud, and full of life. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. It felt like the house was always full, and Christmas had a way of making it all feel even more special.  Those are some of my favorite memories.

But time has a way of changing things.

At the time of this writing, only my father and my Aunt Jane remain from that group. There are so many faces I miss. So many voices I wish I could hear again, and so many moments that now live only in memory. Every year, I find myself going back and looking through old photographs. Images of those Christmases long ago. They bring me joy, but also a quiet sense of longing. It is a strange and beautiful mix of emotions.

Photos from December is a reflection of that feeling.

The piece is an original Christmas ballad that also works as a festival piece, warm and lyrical, with small hints of familiar carols woven throughout. These fragments appear like memories, surfacing for just a moment before fading again. The music is meant to feel comforting, but also touched with a bit of heartache. It is a reminder of what was, but also of what still is.

I hope that as you listen, you think of your own memories. The people, the places, the moments that shaped you. And more importantly, I hope it encourages you to hold a little tighter to the moments you have now. Because if we are lucky, those moments will one day become the photos we look back on.

And when we do, I hope they make us smile.

Peace, Love, and Music - Randall*

*NOTE:  If you bought the physical product, the babies on the cover are me (bottom center), my brother Scott (top center), and my brother Ron (right, the only time I’ll tell him he’s right, lol).

Digital:$65.00

Physical: $65.00