On Sale at December 9 Crafts Fair

“I really enjoy holiday music and every year at our Holiday Sing, I have the best seat in the house for watching how everyone else enjoys it too.”

Science Department Chair (and professional soprano) Janet Villas was describing the impetus for recording her second CD, “Christmas Card,” which will be released on December 9 and on sale at the BFS Holiday Crafts Fair. “To see the faces on everyone light up means a lot to me,” added Janet, “So I tried to create that feeling of joy and openness on this CD with a lot of the songs we do each year.”

The crafts fair—along with a winterfest carnival for kids, a book fair and a children’s music concert—takes place on Saturday, December 9 from 10 am to 6 pm at 375 Pearl Street.

There are 16 songs on Janet’s CD. Along with a few classics delivered in a traditional manner, such as “Oh Holy Night” and “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel,” Janet presents some traditional numbers jazzed up and taken to a new level, such as “I Wonder As I Wander,” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”  She also sings several jazz, early rock, and swing numbers, such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock,”  “Christmas Time Is Here,” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”

How did Janet select the songs for the CD? “I used a lot of songs we do at the Sing!” she answered. “I also used some songs I sing as a soprano soloist at an Episcopal church in New Jersey. Some songs are just great New York winter tunes like “Silver Bells” and "Winter Wonderland.”

Production of the “Christmas Card” CD was also a Brooklyn Friends faculty collaboration:  photography teacher Gregg Martin took the cover photo for the CD (top), and music teacher Jessica Jones (below) accompanies Janet on the saxophone.

Janet’s first CD album, “Something Wonderful,” was released in 2003 and is a compilation of cabaret and theater tunes, mostly from the 1960s and 70s. “Shockingly to me,” Janet said, “3,500 people have downloaded it. Apparently, I’m very popular in Australia and Belgium!”  She is working with a radio distributor and the Christmas Card CD “is going around the world. I’m also selling it at cdbaby.com, Apple iTunes and from my website janetvillas.com.” Check out Janet’s website, hear her rendition of the Jerry Herman classic “We Need a Little Christmas,” and you’ll be hooked on her “Christmas Card.”