Symphony Performs Holiday Concert December 9

SALISBURY, MD---It is a picture-perfect and pitch-perfect start to the holiday season: the musicians tune, the lights dim and hundreds of people settle into the seats of Holloway Hall for the Sunday, December 9, Salisbury University President's Family Holiday Concert of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra at SU.

This year’s Holiday Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. to better serve families, and the orchestral pieces will be lovely but short -- a good introduction to classical music. On the program are Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia” and “La Fiesta Mexicana” by H. Owen Reed. The orchestra plays traditional Christmas songs such as “Let It Snow” and “White Christmas,” while “Hava Nageela” marks the start of Hanukkah. The evening concludes with a sing-along medley of holiday favorites, and Santa Claus promises to put in an appearance.

“This year’s Holiday Concert is an open invitation from the Salisbury University community to the community at large, geared to families,” said Dr. Thomas G. Elliot, music director and conductor of the SSO. “Come and conjure the holiday spirit with us.” 

This promises to be the SSO’s busiest season yet. The 2001-2002 season kicks off with the “Messiah” concert November 30 and December 1, followed by the Holiday Concert December 9, and there is much more to come. A Special Mid-Winter Concert February 9 features guest pianist Dr. Mark Clinton. On May 10 concert mistress Laura Murray Ellison and principal violist Magaly Rojas performs Mozart’s “Sinfonia concertante in E flat Major for Violin and Viola, K. 364,” as part of the annual Spring Concert.

The SSO brings beautiful music to audiences throughout the region with a December 2 Holiday Concert in Caroline County, accompaniment for the SU theatre’s production of the musical 1776 in March, and  “Savor Goes Gospel,” an April 27 fund-raiser presented at University of Maryland Eastern Shore in cooperation with the gospel choirs of SU and UMES. The orchestra has already traveled to Dover and Ocean City for special events this season.

Before the first notes of the 2001-2002 season have even sounded, already it is clear that, “There’s a lot of interest in this area and support for the SSO.” said Roy S. Perdue, alumni relations director. “That support continues to grow, in Salisbury and throughout the region.”

Individual concert tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and up and for children 18 and under. Gold Pass SSO patrons receive two tickets good for the Holiday Concert, Special Mid-Winter Concert and the annual Spring Concert, as well as the Spring Concert of the Salisbury Symphony Affiliated Youth and Collegiate Symphony May 2, and the chance to see both the youth orchestra and SSO in full dress rehearsal for their spring concerts. 

Tickets for the Holiday Concert are available through any SWAC outlet (Peninsula Bank and Bank of Delmarva branches) or at the door the night of the concert. For tickets or more information, please call 410-548-5587.