The annual "Christmas With the Coyotes" holiday show in Williamsburg is without a doubt our busiest time of year. The show itself is one of our largest: with a troupe of dancers (led by choreographer Kelsey Meiklejohn), narration by award-winning actress Elizabeth Wiley, full stage lighting, a guest appearance by fiddler Paul Anderson, and music arranged or written by Coyote Run... whew!

Our two newest members, Michael Kazalski and Zack Williamson, had their hands full: on top of having just learned our regular repertoire, they were now tasked with learning all new music for the holiday show! They rose to the task admirably, and the show was afoot.

We always try to take inspiration from the treasury of music and history that the past offers, and to create a new interpretation of it that keeps it alive and brings it to our audience in a new way. Songs like "Angels We Have Heard On High," as realized by four trombones and a jazzy drummer; "Santa Claus is Goin' To Town," re-imagined as a nightclub swing tune by singer/songwriter Heather Jinmaku; "Carol of the Bells" merged with other holiday songs to create a confluence of melodies from vibraphone to accordion to whistle; and others less familiar to the modern American audience, all mix together with original tunes written for the occasion.

Each year's show brings us more memories. We are always thrilled to see familiar, friendly faces of people who've traveled from all over to see this show, and to meet new fans who "just dropped in" to see what the big deal was all about. Each of us have our own moments which touch us deeply: in my case it was being asked to sing "Christmas In the Trenches." This moving song is one of my favorites, and as I sang it I couldn't help but remember the past year's phenomenal renditions by Mick Mikula. I was honored to follow in his footsteps.

This year was also the first time the Coyotes took their holiday show on the road! We bundled up the whole kit and kaboodle (yes, including dancers and the vibraphone!) and trucked up to Syracuse NY, Sellersville PA, and Gettysburg PA to the delight of more folks who would otherwise not have been able to see the show. It was quite a feat to keep that whole thing moving!!

All in all, bringing a little holiday magic to so many wonderful people is one of my favorite parts about being in Coyote Run. Here's looking forward to next year...

-Doug