DuPage Symphony Orchestra to bring 'Yuletide Cheer' to Naperville Dec. 12
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra continues its annual tradition of holiday concerts with "Yuletide Cheer" on Sunday, Dec. 12, at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville.
The concerts will begin at 2 and 4 p.m. in North Central College's Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Masks are required to attend all in-person events on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra, led by music director and conductor Barbara Schubert, presents this family-friendly program of seasonal favorites. An array of popular Christmas tunes lies at the heart of Victor Hely-Hutchinson's "A Carol Symphony," a four-movement work designed "to express the spirit of joy called up by memories of the romance and mystery of the manger."
Peter Jaffe's "Symph-Hanukkah" is a clever compendium of well-known Hanukkah songs including "Rock of Ages," the "Dreidel Song," "Who Can Retell?," and more.
The concerts also feature poignant settings of the 16th-century English Christmas carol "Coventry Carol"; the 17th-century Canadian Christmas hymn "Huron Carol"; "A Cambridge Carol," better known as "Ding, Dong Merrily On High," and more. Plus musical depictions by Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and maybe even a real-life visit by Santa himself add to the fun of this year's holiday concert.
Tickets are $18, $16 for seniors, or $6 for students. For tickets, call North Central College box office at (630) 637-SHOW or visit www.dupagesymphony.org/tickets-events.
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1954 with 45 volunteer musicians. Russell Harvey, co-founder of the orchestra, led as music director for 31 years and Maestra Barbara Schubert joined in 1986. Under her leadership, the symphony has grown to more than 100 highly talented volunteer musicians. In 2013, it was named Community Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
Limited subscriptions are still available by calling the office at (630) 778-1003. The orchestra also has gift certificates available for the holidays. Purchase one at the Yuletide concert or by calling the DSO office at (630) 778-1003.
The next concert will be "Striving for Justice" on Saturday, Feb. 5, featuring Leonore Overture No. 2 from Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio"; Leonard Bernstein's symphonic suite from "On the Waterfront"; and the 1933 Symphony in E Minor by American composer Florence Price.