As much a local tradition as sending greeting cards, baking holiday cookies and selecting the perfect tree, the Grand Rapids Symphony will present its annual Nestlé Gerber Holiday Pops orchestral and choral jubilee Thursday, Dec. 15 through Sunday, Dec. 18 in DeVos Performance Hall.
Joining Associate Conductor John Varineau and the Grand Rapids Symphony for the five-performance run will be the 140-voice Symphony Chorus under the direction of Pearl Shangkuan, members of the Symphony Youth Choruses led by Sean Ivory and Jackie Schoon, and special guest, soprano Lisa Daltirus.
The Symphony has staged this enormously popular holiday program for more than 30 years. Sponsored by Nestlé Gerber, this year’s collage of secular and sacred music will again feature familiar elements including a visit from Santa, audience sing-along, as well as fresh spins on the seasonal tradition.
“People often tell us that attending Holiday Pops is an essential tradition for their families, and every bit as much a part of their holiday festivities as hanging stockings and gathering around the table for the holiday feast,” Varineau said.
Guest Soprano Lisa Daltirus will take the stage to perform traditional and popular carols including ”O Holy Night,” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” and “Mary Did You Know.” Daltirus has received acclaim for her performances with the New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, Washington National Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago and is an active soloist with orchestras both in the U.S. and internationally.
Audiences will also be treated with orchestral favorites including Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Berlin’s “White Christmas,” and “Still, Still, Still” performed by members of the Youth and Junior Youth Choruses. The concert’s second half features the Symphony Chorus in a selection of carols plus songs from the popular holiday movie “Home Alone.” The concert will conclude with the spirited “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel.
Tickets for the Nestlé Gerber Holiday Pops start at $18 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800/982-2787, online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony office or two hours prior to the performance at the concert venue.
Performances
• Thursday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., DeVos Performance Hall
• Friday, Dec. 16, 8:00 p.m., DeVos Performance Hall
• Saturday, Dec. 17, 3:00 p.m., DeVos Performance Hall
• Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:00 p.m., DeVos Performance Hall
• Sunday, Dec. 18, 3:00 p.m., DeVos Performance Hall
Tickets
Tickets start at $18 and are available at the Symphony office, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder), or by calling 616/454-9451, Ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.) Tickets are available at the DeVos Place Box Office, weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, 800/982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org, or in person at Ticketmaster outlets: select D&W Fresh Market and Family Fare stores and Walmart. Tickets purchased at these locations will include a Ticketmaster service fee.
About the Grand Rapids Symphony
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, eight concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. To learn more about the Grand Rapids Symphony, please visit www.grsymphony.org.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.