MSO, middle school chorus perform festive favorites

December 16, 2004|by ANDREA ROWLAND

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra will present its holiday pops concert, "Joy to the World," Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19, at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown.

Under the direction of MSO Music Director Elizabeth Schulze, the orchestra will perform seasonal favorites "Festive Sounds of Hanukah," "Sleigh Ride" and "Here Comes Santa Claus." The orchestra's string section principals, Leonid Sushansky, Marissa Murphy and Lukasz Szyrner will perform Arcangelo Corelli's Christmas Concerto.

Sticking with the tradition of including community talent in the holiday show, the MSO will share the stage with two local choruses and radio and television personality Lou Scally, who will narrate "A Visit from St. Nick" - the Christmas classic with music by Baltimore composer Robert Lichtenberger.

Lynn Staininger will direct the Choral Arts Society of Frederick, Md., for a performance of selections from George Frideric Handel's "Messiah."

Schulze also will recognize the Washington County middle- and elementary-school students who won the MSO's lyric-writing and holiday poster contests. Emily Seifarth, a fifth-grade student at Old Forge Elementary School, won the poster contest's grand prize with a piece called "Music is Joy." Springfield Middle School eighth-grade students Shannon Draper and Kelsi Phillips won the lyric-writing contest with "Holiday Unity." Springfield's show choir, Riversong, will perform the winning entry and two other songs at the concert.

Audience participation will be encouraged with a singalong. And Santa Claus will make a special appearance.

If you go

"Joy to the World"

Maryland Symphony Orchestra holiday pops concert

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19

The Maryland Theatre
21 S. Potomac St.
Hagerstown

Tickets cost $17 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and younger. Tickets are available at the MSO office, 13 S. Potomac St.; by calling the box office at 301-797-4000; or online at www.marylandsymphony.org.

If inclement weather causes a cancellation, the concert will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21.

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