Christmas lights, gingerbread houses and hot chocolate are a few of Sabrina Infanger’s favorite things during the holiday season. But most of all, she loves the enduring tradition of Christmas carols.

For the MSU senior music education major from Starkville, music has always been a part of her life, with violin taking center stage when she was 10 years old. Every holiday season, she pulls out her book of Christmas carols and plays them on the violin, especially her two favorites, “The Christmas Song” and “Silent Night.”

“Both songs are so beautiful to play and listen to,” Infanger said. “Even without the words, the violin can express their meaning so well, which is part of the reason I love them.

“My family has a tradition on Christmas Eve where we’ll sing carols, and my dad will get out his guitar and play and I’ll get out my violin and play,” she continued. “It’s really a peaceful night just to sing with my family and play with my family, with music at the center of it.”

Infanger says another one of her favorite things is performing with the Starkville-MSU Symphony, particularly in its Christmas concert. It’s one of the many opportunities the MSU Department of Music has presented Infanger to help her learn and grow as a musician and as a teacher.

“There’s so many things I get to participate in that give me so much experience,” Infanger said. “I recently went to Memphis to help with master classes in one of their schools, and I’ve been able to teach with MSU’s Community Music School. All these opportunities build up and are going to help me next semester with my teaching internship.

(Video by Sarah Kirk)

“I also really value how willing the faculty are to work with you. I’ve had some classes where I wanted to learn more, and the professors taught me more or helped me do independent studies. They’re so open to working toward what you want your education to be, and I really appreciate that.”

When Infanger has her own music classroom one day, she hopes to instill a love for music in her students, whether it’s timeless Christmas carols or the latest hits.

“I want my students to know that music is fun and that they can be excited to come to lessons or music class,” Infanger said. “I also want them to know that playing music is a way to express their emotions, and it can bring them so much peace and joy, as it has for me.”