Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s popular “Holidays with the Symphony” concert is Saturday, December 9, 2017, in Vernon Cook Theater at Clinton High School at 7:30 p.m., in Clinton, IA.
The orchestra will be joined this year by the Clinton High School Choirs, to perform selections with the orchestra and to lead the annual carol sing-along.
Conductor Brian Dollinger and the 50 musicians of the orchestra will open the concert with music prepared for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve, Sarajevo, describing a lone cellist playing Christmas carols in the midst of the Bosnian War.
Following will be a selection of popular Christmas songs; a musical version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, read by CHS choir director Karl Wolf; selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite; a festive polka by Johann Strauss, Jr.
The choirs will join the orchestra for Gustav Holst’s choral work Christmas Day, followed by the spiritual Way Down in Bethlehem; Leroy Anderson’s ever-popular Sleigh Ride; a setting of Joy to the World by contemporary English composer John Rutter.
The audience will be invited to join with the choirs and orchestra for a sing-along of some of the most well-known Christmas carols, to conclude the concert.
Full program notes on the music is available on the Symphony’s website at www.clintonsymphony.org.
“This performance is a favorite of mine, as I love the familiar music of the season and the sense of nostalgia it brings,” Dan Anderson, President of the Symphony Board, said. “I know this blend of holiday music and song will enhance our festive and giving mood for the rest of the season.”
This is the third concert of the Symphony’s 64 concert season. Tickets are $15 for adults, and all students are admitted free of charge. Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance at Tegeler Music in Clinton, Fitzgerald Pharmacy in Morrison, IL, and Grummert’s Hardware in Sterling, IL.