Every year since 1969, the Department of Music at UA has presented a Christmas program called Hilaritas. It includes a variety of holiday-themed music, mixing traditional carols and standards with modern pop songs and new arrangements.

Earlier this year, we digitized the audio from some of the earliest Hilaritas programs. Below, you’ll find links to each, as well as a sample track to whet your appetite.

Hilaritas 1970 (single reel)

Sample Track: Medley: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire); Deck the Halls; Angels We Have Heard; We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Hilaritas 1971 (reel one, reel two, reel three)

Sample Track: For Unto Us a Child is Born, from Handel’s Messiah

Hilaritas 1972 (reel one, reel two, reel three)

Sample Track: O Holy Night (carol sing)

Hilaritas 1973 (reel one, reel two)

Sample Track: The Christmas Waltz

Hilaritas 1974 (reel one, reel two)

Sample Track: Medley: Christmas Present, Snow Ball of a Time, What are you doing New Year’s Eve?