Orchestra to present holiday concert at Harper

The Northwest Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Verne Schwager, will present its holiday concert for 2016, "Deck the Halls With Sounds of Music," at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in the Performing Arts Center at Harper College.

The orchestra will be joined by the Northwest Festival Chorus for the event.

The ensemble will perform a selection of holiday favorites, including "Nutcracker" excerpts, Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," and selections from "The Many Moods of Christmas" by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett, an instrumental/vocal tapestry embracing the multifaceted elements of the holiday season.

The program also features seasonal selections - both religious and secular. The concert, as with all the orchestra's concerts, will present timely surprises appropriate to the season.

The Northwest Festival Orchestra is comprised of Chicago's finest younger professional musicians who share a common passion for creating and sharing music at the highest level.

The ensemble's programs are devoted to both classical and contemporary repertoire spanning the orchestral spectrum, and also frequently include opera/operetta excerpts, as well as music from the American Musical Theater.

The orchestra's style and musical integrity are chiefly characterized by a string section known for its warmth and virtuosity, crafted under the leadership of a seasoned conductor.

"It promises to be a festive, and I hope, brilliant event," Schwager said.

Tickets to the concert are $35, $25 for seniors and $20 for students at northestfestivalorchestra.org or at the door. The Harper campus is at 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. For more information, email festorch@aol.com or call (847) 392-9003.