THIS IS AMERICA - Christmas Music and Traditions
By Marilyn Christiano

Broadcast: Monday, December 20, 2004

VOICE ONE:

The ballet is about a young girl named Clara. Clara is celebrating Christmas with her family and friends. One of her Christmas presents is a little device to open nuts -- a nutcracker. It is shaped like a toy soldier. She dreams that the nutcracker comes to life as a good-looking prince.

 
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Professional dance groups in many American cities perform the ballet at this time of year. They often use students from local ballet schools to dance the part of Clara and the other children in the story. This gives parents a chance to see their children perform.

VOICE TWO:

We leave you with "The Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker." It is played by the Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Eugene Ormandy.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Today's program was written by Shelley Gollust. It was produced and directed by Lawan Davis. I'm Shirley Griffith.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Ray Freeman. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the V-O-A Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.