Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra Prepares for Holiday Concert
The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra (WASO) is set to present a family-friendly concert titled Classical Treasures on November 15 at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Worthington’s Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center, offering a soothing musical introduction to the holiday season.
Concert Highlights and Holiday Favorites
The concert will conclude with two beloved Christmas pieces. Kris Stewart, a WASO leadership team member and flutist, shared:
“We’ll end the concert with a couple of Christmas selections — Mel Tormé’s cherished ‘The Christmas Song,’ and our traditional closer, Dan Goeller’s ‘A Christmas Carol Sing-Along.’”
Diverse Repertoire for All Ages
Earlier in the program, the orchestra will perform pieces designed to captivate listeners of every generation. Stewart highlighted the energetic opening piece:
“Our first number, ‘The Light Cavalry Overture’ by Austrian composer Franz von Suppé, is an invigorating tune — one that most people will recognize by its sound if not by its name.”
WASO conductor Christopher Stanichar described another key work on the program:
“It’s a short American symphony that’s a little more serious. It’s Howard Hanson’s most famous symphony.”
Stanichar added background about the composer and his piece:
“Howard Hanson, a Nebraska native, went on to become a well-known teacher and mentor at Eastman School of Music. He wrote this symphony during the Depression era, and it has a lot of hopefulness to it.”
Program Includes:
- “The Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé
- “Symphony No. 2, Opus 30 in D-flat Major” by Howard Hanson, also known as the “Romantic” symphony
- “The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé
- “A Christmas Carol Sing-Along” by Dan Goeller
Summary
The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert blends uplifting classical works and festive holiday tunes, promising an engaging experience for audiences young and old.