True to name, Elgin Symphony Orchestra comes home for holidays

Following three years at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra is heading home to the Hemmens for their annual "Home for the Holidays" concerts.

The Dec. 12-13 performances, according to longtime conductor Robert Hanson, feature a blend of mainstays as well as new features.

The Daily Herald caught up with Hanson just a few days before the show.

Q. What was the impetus in coming back to perform the concert in Elgin?

A. We just felt it was a more intimate space in the Hemmens auditorium. Even though we had really good crowds (at the Sears Centre) it never seemed intimate. We could do skaters and aerialists and some really neat things there. But in the end I think we felt that the concert is more about the music and creating an atmosphere.

Q. How many performers will be featured in this year's production?

A. Over 200. That includes about 120 chorus members, 60 in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, as well as soloists.

Q. What's new?

A. Every year we try to introduce new things. We'll have a new piece that I composed called "Bright and Glorious." I wrote that in the 1990s, when I was conducting another orchestra. We'll also be bringing back another piece called the "Simple Carpenter" with words by JoAnn Dowdell and the arrangement by me. We're also doing some xylophone rock with our three xylophone players. We'll also be doing more at the Hemmens with lighting and sound and staging.

Tap dancers from the Midwest Dance Collectors will be doing a Santa dance.

Q. What's the most challenging part about getting ready for the performances?

A. The toughest thing really is for the choruses and the soloists.

Nathaniel Stampley, who is currently starring on Broadway in Disney's "The Lion King," will be doing a lot from memory. He has to spend a lot of time memorizing pieces. The chorus starts working about six weeks ahead. The orchestra won't get together until the Thursday before the first performance.

Performances will be held at 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $19-62.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (847) 888-4000 or visit elginsymphony.org.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> The Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Home for the Holidays" performance</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 </p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin </p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> Priced from $19-62 </p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Call (847) 888-4000 or visit <a href="http://elginsymphony.org" target="new">elginsymphony.org</a>.</p>