CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE LANSING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at 3 p.m.

Location: Wharton Center for Performing Arts — Cobb Great Hall

Tickets: $63, $50, $30

Box Office: 517-487-5001 or LansingSymphony.org

LANSING, Mich. — As the holiday season approaches, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is thrilled to announce the annual tradition of the Holiday Pops concert.

“As always, we are keeping the majority of the program a surprise for our concertgoers, but the audience is sure to hear holiday classics alongside their favorite pop tunes,” said Timothy Muffitt, LSO music director and conductor. “We greatly enjoy balancing the tradition and new music to make it interesting for those that attend year over year. As an orchestra, we always look forward to this time spent with the community.”

The musical experience will feature a combination of classical arrangements and beloved seasonal tunes with guest vocalist Teri Hansen. Teri Hansen has received international recognition for her crossover abilities as a singing actress from Opera to Broadway and concert stages worldwide. Hansen made her Broadway debut in ‘The Boys from Syracuse’ and starred in London’s West End in Hal Prince’s Tony award-winning production of ‘Show Boat’. Most recently, she starred in the national tours of ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘An American in Paris.’ Internationally recognized as an interpreter of Weill, Hansen starred as “Rose” in the film version of Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. Hansen also toured for years with Marvin Hamlisch, appeared at the Lincoln Center singing Rodgers and Hammerstein, and made regular appearances there as a part of the prestigious “Meet the Artist” series.

The LSO and Hansen will also share the stage with talented local high school musicians as part of the orchestra’s Side-by-Side program. In November, students from the Lansing area auditioned for the chance to play alongside the orchestra, earning the opportunity to play a selection of pieces during the concert.

“The Side-by-Side program not only provides a chance for young musicians to share the stage, but also offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a professional orchestra. These young musicians join rehearsal sessions and receive valuable mentorship from orchestra members,” said Muffitt.

The student musicians will join the orchestra for three pieces scheduled for the concert's first half, creating an inspiring crescendo before the intermission. Student’s apart of this year’s program include:

• Spencer Locke, Haslett High School

• Reina Li, Okemos High School

• Adelina Liao, Okemos High School

• Emilia Escamilla, Homeschool

• Alec Jachalke, Okemos High School

• Arianne Kim, Okemos High School

• Olivia Mann, East Lansing High School

The annual Side-by-Side program is open to anyone of high school age in the Lansing area with a proficiency in music.

For complete details, visit lansingsymphony.org or call the LSO office at 517-487-5001.

This concert is sponsored by Auto-Owners Insurance, Lansing State Journal and Plas-Labs Inc.