The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is ready to fill everyone’s stocking with holiday musical delights as they present their next 2016-2017 season concert, “Carolina Christmas,” on Saturday, Dec. 10th.
The performance begins at 3 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Community College’s Concert Hall. Please note this is an afternoon performance.
Single-seat, single-date tickets are $40 for adults. Special prices are available for persons under 40 years of age and students. A few good seats are still available.
“We have always felt this annual concert is informally subtitled ‘A Community Christmas’,” says Music Director and Conductor Tom Joiner. “It really is the Hendersonville Symphony’s holiday present to the community. It means so much to so many people.” The concert tends to be less formal, which creates a warm familiarity for everyone. In addition, the music selections represent both the sacred and the secular. “We try to have a little something for everybody, including singing carols together.”
This year’s concert sees the return of the renown Greenville Chorale, under the direction of Bingham Vick, Jr. In addition, sopranos Lisa Barksdale and Kathryn Knauer will also be performing as soloists.
The HSO began a partnership with the Greenville Chorale in 2006, pairing the symphony with one of the largest symphonic choirs in the Southeast. Performing together every other year, both groups meld their impressive musical strengths for an always unforgettable concert. The HSO reciprocates by playing for the Chorale’s Christmas concert in Greenville this year.
“From our artistic vantage point, the HSO gets to play out of town (in Greenville) to a new audience in a 2,000-seat concert hall at Furman University. The HSO gets exposure in a different community. In turn, we experience about 75 members of the professional choir performing with us in Hendersonville.”
This mutually advantageous concert is always anticipated. “Making this music with friends and colleagues is special. The Chorale loves to do Christmas shows with the HSO. Everyone loves the collaboration.”
This year’s program is a mélange of selections, both familiar and new, all capturing the spirit of the season. Beginning with “Angels We Have Heard on High,” the Chorale surrounds the audience in song before moving to take its place on the stage. “This arrangement is by Mack Wilberg, who works with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Our staging captures the spirit of that well-loved choir.”
Joiner points to the “Many Moods of Christmas, Suite IV” arranged by Robert Shaw as a standout piece not previously performed at an HSO Christmas concert. “This is something new that everyone should really enjoy.” Shaw may be best known for the choral work he did with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
“Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed will “raise the roof,” says Joiner. This loud and bombastic piece is based on Russian Orthodox hymn chants. “It is a thrilling, sonic experience,” says Joiner. “It beautifully features the orchestra, especially the brass section.”
As with every HSO Christmas concert, this year’s performance will feature a “mystery conductor” that is always fun for the audience. The right to conduct is a fundraising auction item offered every spring at the Hendersonville Symphony League’s “Black and White Ball.” The conductor may be the winning bidder, or another individual gifted the opportunity. Or, it could just be a surprise Christmas elf. One never knows until the performance.
The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1971, exists to enrich the Hendersonville and Henderson County communities with live symphonic performances and music education opportunities for youth and adults.
For more information, visit hendersonvillesyphony.org.