As we head toward December, it has been another year of unprecedented challenges around the world. As always, we continue to promote my father's carols to new listeners, new artists and to those who already love his work.

This season we are releasing a musical Christmas card of "Caroling, Caroling" by The Caroling Company with lyrics included on the inside cover. 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.

We have the new digipak of "This Is Christmas", A Complete Collection of the Alfred S. Burt Carols performed by Voices of Jimmy Joyce. This title has been an annual favorite for many fans, a Grammy nominated LP recording in 1965.

This upcoming holiday season is the year of "What Are The Signs" (Carol in War Time) written in 1944 making this the 80th anniversary. Our world is in such turmoil that it is amazing how my father's music and my grandfather's lyrics could still be so timeless.

Also, this marks the 70th anniversary of "The Star Carol", with words by Wihla Hutson. This was the last card sent by my Mother and I after my father passed away in February of 1954. Not only does it hold the beautiful story of Jesus' birth, but you can hear the promise of a lyricist to remember her collaborator, Alfred Burt. "And when the stars in the heavens I see, ever and always I'll think of Thee." Thus ended a family tradition.

You will find the Alfred Burt Christmas Carols Golden Anniversary Collection, produced by Nicola Marcello D'Amico, has been reduced in price. 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 choral harmony of the Voices of Jimmy Joyce. Also, our vocal ensemble, The Caroling Company is represented on several tracks. One of my favorites is the version by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel!

Music touches each of us in different ways. I know my Dad would be humbled by all the attention his carols have received and how many lives he has touched with his music. I am 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.

Choral music for the Burt Carols is available on Shawnee Press and Hal Leonard websites.

Look for James Taylor's CD, "James Taylor at Christmas" on Columbia Records label. In collaboration with producer, Dave Grusin, Mr. Taylor sings "Some Children See Him", brilliantly arranged by Mr. Grusin.

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.

We continue to hear from fans of the carols and those who have recently learned about them. The internet has widened our circle of fans 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)