Saint Joseph Symphony gears up for annual Holiday Cheer concert
By Jazmine Knight
The Saint Joseph Symphony is preparing to share their holiday spirit with their annual Holiday Cheer concert on Dec. 21.
“It’s probably the most popular show in our season,” said Nancy Schmidt-Brunson, Managing Director.
Guests can expect to hear holiday classics such as Sleigh Ride (with a surprise guest conductor), The Little Drummer Boy, and a Christmas Carol sing-a-long.
Schmidt-Brunson says she’s most excited for the audience to hear Little Drummer Boy which was written by a women from St. Joseph.
“This is going to be the first time for me that I have heard the Saint Joseph Symphony play little Drummer Boy since I was a child,” she said.
According to Schmidt-Brunson, this year is extra special.
“Last year we had the Saint Joseph’s Youth Chorale singing with us, and they were such a hit that we invited them back. So they are going to be performing with us,” she said.
The Youth Chorale will be performing music from the Christmas film “Home Alone” and in celebration of their 65th anniversary season, the symphony will be hosting pre-concert parties.
“We’re going to be having some wine from Windy Winery,” said Schmidt-Brunson. “We’re going to be having some Santa’s cookies, and Toe Beans Coffee is providing us with hot chocolate and marshmallows and whipped cream and all sorts of fun things.”
To top off the festivities, special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance.
Youth education is a big priority for the symphony orchestra. Schmidt-Brunson recalls a study by Eric Whitacre proving that singing or playing an instrument is very beneficial to brain development. She says singing actually initiates positive endorphins within the brain.
“To get the opportunity to actually sing with a symphony orchestra and being conducted by the conductor (Christopher Kelts) is really an experience that they can’t get just by singing in the choir alone,” she said.
For Schmidt-Brunson, her favorite part about getting kids involved in music is seeing their dedication.
Since many of these songs are not your typical children’s choir music, the director, Karen Lipanovich, worked hard to adjust the range of the music and coaching the kids to sing at this level.
“But the best part about it is just seeing the smiles on their faces when they’re actually performing,” Schmidt-Brunson said.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the party and he Holiday Cheer concert begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Missouri Theater, 713 Edmond St.
Tickets can be purchased online at saintjosephsymphony.org. Prices range from $21 — $45.
Children and student tickets are half price and can be reserved ahead by calling the box office at 816-233-7701.
