December is upon us with all the wonderful traditions of the season. Although the world seems upside down in so many ways, it is because of family, friends and fans that the season keeps us focused. As always, we continue to promote my father's carols to new listeners, new artists and to those who already love his work.

This year is the anniversary of the 1945 carol, "Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind". I can't believe it has been 80 years since its inception. With the country at war, my grandfather's words were so touching and hopeful. It was also the year by mother, Anne, came into the family circle and added her name to the card.

Our musical Christmas card of "Caroling, Caroling" by The Caroling Company with lyrics included on the inside cover is still available. We found out that children love to play the music over and over! There is a special 4 pack price as well as individual cards. You can receive one of the new cards by ordering The Caroling Company's CD, "A Christmas Present from The Caroling Company", featuring eight of the most popular Burt Carols. You will hear my father's original four-part harmony on the last verse of each arrangement. The season is all about giving and what better way to give of ourselves, but through music.

The digipak of "This Is Christmas", A Complete Collection of the Alfred S. Burt Carols performed by Voices of Jimmy Joyce is still going strong. This title has been an annual favorite with the distinction of being a Grammy nominated LP recording in 1965.

Alfred Burt Christmas Carols Golden Anniversary Collection, produced by Nicola Marcello D'Amico, has grown in popularity. I hope you have an opportunity to hear the CD. Christmas of 2004 marked the 50th Anniversary of the release of the carols to the public. The recording brings together performances from 1954 to 2004. There are montages of "Caroling, Caroling" with Natalie Cole and her dad, Nat King Cole, "Some Children See Him" with Kenny Loggins and Andy Williams, "What Are The Signs" with the piano stylings of the late George Winston and the legendary jazz pianist, Dave Grusin, playing his imaginative interpretation of "Some Children See Him". Even Simon and Garfunkel sang a Burt Carol!

My season really starts when I hear for the first time a Burt carol in the grocery store. If my Dad were here, he would be humbled by all the attention his carols have received and how many lives he has touched with his music. Nick and I are proud to be carrying on the work started by my family and keeping the meaning of Christmas alive. We are grateful to all the artists that have contributed to the success of the Burt Carols for so many years.

Each year a new artist performs one of the carols and we are happy to add them to the long list of performers. Many of you may know of the late Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band with vocalist, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin. His version of "This Is Christmas" and her styling of "Some Children See Him" reaches a new audience of jazz listeners.

The 50th Anniversary edition of the Songbook with all fifteen carols in a piano/vocal format, featuring my father's original four-part harmony, is still available online. The Songbook shows the original Christmas cards as they were first introduced to friends and family. Each carol has a description about the year it was sent and what was happening in our family. The Songbook is distributed by Hal Leonard. There is a link on our "Contact" page.

Choral music continues to be available through Shawnee Press and Hal Leonard websites.

We continue to hear from fans and those who have recently learned about the carols. The internet and social media has widened our circle and we appreciate receiving your thoughts. Great thanks to all of you who have supported, performed and promoted the carols throughout the years. I feel honored to know that a part of my family’s legacy has become a part of your family’s Christmas traditions.

Merrily,
Diane Burt
(daughter of Anne & Alfred Burt)