长期以来，音乐和艺术与传统的文化习惯息息相关。在录音时代之前，音乐是一种纪念历史和重要事件的方式，它将社会各界聚集在一起，形成一个大社区，庆祝各种各样的事件。

Music and the arts have long come hand in hand with tradition and deep-rooted cultural habits. Before the time of recording, music was a way to commemorate historical and important events by bringing together all walks of life to celebrate as a community.

英国不乏传统节日，但往往是音乐抓住了节日的精髓，作为一种代代相传的媒介，用歌声将传统延续下去。时至今日，英国人仍会庆祝许多宗教和传统节日，而每个节日都有自己独特的歌曲、音乐和舞蹈。你几乎找不到一个只有歌声却没有舞蹈的庆典！

Britain has no shortage of traditional festivals, and it‘s often music that captures the very essence and that acts as the vehicle to pass this message down from generation to generation, keeping a tradition alive with song. To this day British people still celebrate many religious and traditional festivals, each one with their own special songs, music and dance. You can’t really have one without the other!

一起来看看那些我们最钟爱的节日吧。

Let’s have a look at a few of our favourite festivals.

复活节

如今，对大多数人来说，复活节是围绕着复活节兔子和巧克力蛋的！然而，对一些人来说，这有意义的一天，是从教堂开始。

Nowadays, for most people, Easter revolves around the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs! However, for some, it’s a meaningful day which begins in church.

你可知道，复活节礼拜期间，唱赞美诗赞美和朝拜是固有的传统，通常围绕着耶稣基督的死亡和复活主题。这是一个迎接新的黎明、美丽的早晨，享受春天的开始和阳光回归的时刻。

During the Easter service it is tradition to sing hymns of praise and worship which will commonly have themes surrounding the resurrection and death Jesus Christ. It is a time to welcome the new dawn, beautiful mornings, and enjoy the beginning of Spring and the return of the light.

这期间，每个学校都会在教堂里举行复活节音乐会，鼓励所有的孩子，无论信教与否，参加并学习古老的传统赞美诗。有特殊音乐才能的孩子，甚至会被邀请在节日期间到学校唱诗班唱歌，家长和老师们也都会受邀参加。

When it comes to schools, each school will often hold an Easter concert in the chapel where all children, religious or not, will be encouraged to join in and learn the ancient, traditional hymns. Children with particular musical capabilities will even be invited to sing in the school choir during the festivities, where parents and teachers alike will be invited to attend.

▲ 奥多公学Oundle School举办的复活节音乐会

五月节

传统上，每年初夏的5月1日是传统庆祝五月节（May Day）的日子。庆祝活动包括莫里斯舞（一种传统的民间舞蹈，舞者的脚踝上系有铃铛）、五月皇后的加冕礼和绕着五月柱舞蹈！

May Day is traditionally celebrated at the start of Summer on the first day of May. May Day celebrations include Morris dancing (a traditional folk dance where dancers wear bells attached to their ankles), the crowning of a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole!

有的小学会庆祝自己的五月节，比如教孩子们如何绕着五月节的柱子跳舞：拿着彩带，绕着一根柱子朝相反的方向起舞，编出复杂的舞蹈动作；五颜六色的彩带交织在一起，形成一种奇妙而充满活力的景象。

Primary schools will sometimes celebrate their own May day where children are taught how to dance around the Maypole, holding ribbons and dancing in opposite directions around a pole in a complicated choreographed sequence where the colourful ribbons will weave and intertwine in a wonderful, vibrant spectacle.

▲ 德威公学Dulwich College小学部举办庆祝5月节活动，老师教学生们跳莫里斯舞

▲ 孩子们绕着柱子跳舞

丰收节

丰收节在10月的一天，它是英国一年一度的庆祝活动，始于很久很久以前的异教徒时代。

The Harvest Festival is an annual celebration which has taken place in Britain since pagan times (a long, long time ago).

这一天，传统的庆祝活动包括唱赞美诗、祈祷、用装满水果和食物的篮子装饰教堂和学校。学校会举行丰收节集会，让孩子们唱美妙的感恩之歌，并号召他们和家长们一起，捐赠自己不需要的物品或食物。然后，孩子们会用篮子准备丰盛的食物和好吃的东西，送给社区里的老人或者穷人，为他们的生活带来欢乐。

The celebrations on this day in October traditionally include singing hymns, praying, and decorating churches and schools with baskets of fruit and food. Schools will hold a Harvest Festival assembly where children will sing beautiful songs of thanks and often children and parents will be asked to donate unwanted items or food from the garden. The children will then prepare bountiful baskets of food and goodies to deliver to the older or less well-off people in the community to bring a little joy to their day.

这是一种让学生参与当地社区活动的好方法，也能教会他们社区精神和无私奉献的重要性。

This is a great way to engage students with the local community and teach the importance of community spirit and selfless giving.

▲ 伊顿公学对口小学拉德格罗夫预备校Ludgrove School为丰收节准备了一个70公斤的巨型南瓜

▲ 奥克汉中学Oakham School每年都会举办丰收节派对，给老人们带去欢乐

圣诞节

全世界的圣诞节，在整个节日期间，都不乏庆祝的歌声和音乐。

Christmas, as it is all over the world, is celebrated with songs and music throughout the entire festivity season.

学校经常会举办圣诞音乐会和圣诞剧，以鼓励学生展示他们的音乐和戏剧才能。孩子们不惜花费数小时背诵台词、练习歌曲，为这个大日子做准备！

Schools will often hold Christmas concerts and nativity plays to encourage students to demonstrate their musical and theatrical abilities. Children will spend hours reciting their lines and practicing songs, ready for the big day!

▲ 七橡树中学Sevenoaks School举办的圣诞音乐会

▲ “赫敏”母校海丁顿学校Headington School圣诞节演出戏剧《圣诞颂歌（A Christmas Carol）》

英国学校经常将丰富的传统习俗和庆祝活动纳入校历，鼓励孩子们与英国文化碰撞火花，对英国历史有着更深刻的理解和欣赏。最重要的是，这些丰富的活动在一年当中，给予了学生们无数特别的期待！

Rich in tradition and festivities, British schools will very often incorporate these customs into the annual calendar, encouraging children to connect with British culture and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for its history. Most of all, it gives students something special to look forward to all year round!

除了庆祝节日外，学生们还可以参加丰富多样的活动。英国学校提供的乐器课程，往往比你知道的还多！从钢琴和吉他，到不同寻常的竖琴和巴松管，让你惊叹连连。学生们可以参加无数的音乐会、戏剧表演、管弦乐队和流行乐队。学生们将在令人兴奋的过程中享受活动的乐趣，甚至在比赛中赢得奖项！

Alongside the festive celebrations, students are able to take part in a rich and diverse range of activities. Schools will often offer more instrument classes than you can name! From piano and guitar to, perhaps the more unusual, harp and the bassoon. Students will be able to take part in countless concerts and plays, orchestras and bands. They will complete in exciting competitions and even win awards!

在这里，学生们获取的不仅仅是如何运用字母和数字的能力，而是如何充分把握和利用生活中每一个机会。

Exceeding isn’t just about how well you do with your ABCs and 123s, it’s how you can make the most of the opportunities that life throws at you.