First Round Results

 The first round is over!  Results and personal commentary below!

(NOTE: I am often rightly accused of being a music snob.  But this is all in good fun.  If I trash-talk one of your favorites, feel free to fire back at me.  The important thing is just to be passionate about music, even if we disagree on the details.)

Second round matchups will be posted soon!

While I believe "I Wonder..." to be a bit underrated, it was up against a real juggernaut here.  No surprise.

Likewise, Coventry put up a respectable showing against a regular powerhouse in the Midcentury Conference.  The Renaissance Conference has just struggled to keep pace in recent years, as "Lo How a Rose" (another hidden gem) crashes out against one of the bluebloods.

Our first of three ties!  

With this year's tiebreaking vote, Steph chose to advance Waltz of the Flowers. And who are you to argue with a cancer survivor?

Not all Nutcracker selections fared so well, as March of the Toys loses a nail-biter.

This one I consider a bit of an upset, but always good to see minor key carols advance.

Thank goodness...but geez...this shouldn't have been this close.  

Defending champion "Sleigh Ride" begins its title defense by tossing "Up on the Housetop" right off the roof.  SANTA, NOOOOO!!!!!

Jeanette and Isabella should have listened.  If they had brought that torch, they could have burned that tree down.  Strong showing, but the favorite advances.

Another minor key carol moves on after a victory in the 6/8 Bowl.

That makes it Ballet 2, Animation 0.  Everybody dance now!

 

Another tie!  "Midnight Clear" takes a giant to the buzzer, but Steph advances First Noel to the next round.

In an interesting matchup of 20th century classics, the mellow monster with the plain name moves on.

Good Grief!  In our final tie, newcomer to the tournament "Linus and Lucy" goes toe-to-toe with an Angels Conference front-runner.  But, to the relief of mediocre pianists everywhere, Steph sends the old money carol on to the next round.  Gloria in excelsis damn, girl!

Bells > Drums.  This message brought to you by Front Ensemble Crew.

We've all been there:  Listening to a questionable singer belting out "O Holy Night" and wondering...are they going to go for the high note?  Well...they did.  And they nailed it.  

Animation takes another loss.  This one was a bit of a surprise - maybe the Grinch's shtick is getting stale.

Did not think this one would be so close.  "Ding Dong" was no Twinkie.

Sugar Plum Fairy makes it 3 out of 4 for Nutcracker selections.  There goes Santa Claus.

God save the kings.

I can't even.

You people disgust me.  

Look, I get that not many people know "Hooray for Santa Claus."  But it's easy to find.  It's got a trumpet solo.  It has kids spelling out "Santa Claus" even though they're pronouncing it "Santy Claus." It has kids shout-singing because it's way above their range.  And it's from "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians."  It's the epitome of "so bad, it's good."

I intentionally chose this matchup because I thought everyone hated "Last Christmas."  How could you not?  It's the sonic equivalent of having the flu.  

This result makes me weep for humanity and our future.

I am tempted to not certify the results.

But that would be wrong.  

So fine. This is the world you wanted?  Have it.  I wash my hands of it.  

"Silver Bells" made the Final Four last time, but crashes out in the first round.  Very unexpected.  

"Bleak Midwinter" deserves more respect.  But...hard to argue with the Titan of Advent.  

Everyone's listening homework just got a lot shorter.

No surprise here.  Silent Night has something to prove after missing out on the Final Four last time.

Only one Santa-themed song made it out of the first round, and this one wasn't it.  ¡Felicidad!

It's beginning to look a lot like an upset!  The runner-up from 2020 crashes out in the first round.  

So...fun fact that I suspect not enough people are aware of.  We all like to think that the Hallelujah Chorus is this joyful, happy, peaceful musical moment.  Which it is...but in the full Oratorio, it comes right after "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."  Hallelujah indeed.  

It's a good little song, but it never stood a chance in this one.

The only animation-related song to advance to the second round.  Carolers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief that they don't have to learn the rest of the words.

Those ships have sailed.

Due to a clerical error, Wassail becomes the first song in history to lose twice in the same round.  And yes, this is the only Santa-themed song to advance to round 2.  

Be on the lookout for the next round matchups soon!!!