Columbus Symphony and Chorus to welcome the season with 'Holiday Pops'
Soaring strings, volumes of voices and one very festive-minded conductor will gather to celebrate the season during the Columbus Symphony’s “Holiday Pops.”
From Friday through Sunday in the Ohio Theatre, the symphony will present its annual program featuring classical, popular and sacred holiday music.
Longtime concert attendees should expect many traditional favorites — as well as the return to the program, for the first time since the pandemic, of the Columbus Symphony Chorus — while newcomers will learn just how beautiful standard holiday tunes can sound when interpreted by a symphony.
Ahead of the concerts this weekend, The Dispatch caught up with Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz, who will lead the musicians and manage the merriment.
The CSO Chorus comeback
Making a comeback this year to “Holiday Pops” will be the Columbus Symphony Chorus. Although the chorus has performed in many other symphony concerts since the pandemic, the ensemble has not participated in a holiday program since 2019.
“We’re full-on and we’re back,” Chafetz said. “This is what people have grown to expect with their ‘Holiday Pops.’”
'Kinky Boots' musical to bring lessons of community, authenticity to Columbus
Among the pieces to spotlight the chorus will be noted composer-conductor Robert Shaw’s compilation of carols “The Many Moods of Christmas,” which includes “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
“It’s just a really classy way to feature the chorus,” Chafetz said.
To complement the adult voices of the chorus will be the Columbus Children’s Choir.
“They’re so disciplined and so musical and so talented and always so prepared,” Chafetz said, adding that both vocal groups will combine for pieces including “We Need a Little Christmas.”“Everybody — and the kitchen sink — are on stage,” he said.
Choruses not the only voices to be heard
Guest soprano Dee Donasco, previously heard during the Columbus Symphony’s “Patriotic Pops” concert during Picnic With the Pops, will also be on hand on to make merry music.
“She is truly wonderful,” Chafetz said of the vocalist, who was born in the Philippines. “We’re going to be doing a Filipino Christmas carol. . . . It’s something that she grew up with in the Philippines and a way to really honor the traditions of the Philippines.”
Donasco will also offer a “show-stopping” rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?,” Chafetz said.
More: Q&A: New CSO Chorus leader Stephen Caracciolo talks joy of conducting ahead of new season
Program to include new and familiar
Among the pieces the symphony will perform on its own are a diverse assortment of tunes that anyone can sing along with as well as those likely to be new to audiences.
In the latter category is “Rocket Sleigh” by composer Delvyn Case.
“It really does sound like a sleigh just shooting across the sky,” Chafetz said. “It’s wonderful.”
More: Columbus author Kerry Winfrey releases new book 'Faking Christmas'
Other traditional favorites will get fresh spins.
The symphony’s principal trumpet player will get the solo part on a jazzy interpretation of “Silent Night,” while the “Skaters’ Waltz” will include some unusual instrumentation to evoke its icy atmosphere.
“We actually use a slide whistle so you can actually hear the skaters falling on the ice,” Chafetz said.
Santa Claus to add to celebration
In addition to the symphony, the choruses and Donasco, another visitor will be on hand during “Holiday Pops”: a certain resident from the North Pole.
“We’ve got Santa Claus making an appearance during (the song) ‘The Man with the Bag,’” Chafetz said. “He’ll come out and sing with all of us at the very end, with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas,’ ‘Joy to the World’ and ‘Sleigh Ride.’”
The jolly old elf will be available for meet-and-greets during intermission.
A joyful concert
With all of the elements and artists that go into the show, “Holiday Pops” presents unique challenges in preparation when compared to traditional concerts, Chafetz said.
“I hate to say it, but it’s so much easier to put together a classical program,” Chafetz said. “(In ‘Holiday Pops’), the chorus comes on, the chorus comes off, then Santa comes in the second verse.”
He added: “I feel like . . . a football coach getting up in front of one of those chalkboards: ‘The tight end has got to go over here!’”
Yet, when it all comes together, the resulting experience may just be the perfect kickoff to the month of December.
“It’s an unbelievable experience when everything clicks and you have everybody on the same page,” Chafetz said. “The glow of this glorious sound echoes in the Ohio Theatre.”
tonguetteauthor2@aol.com
At a glance
The Columbus Symphony will perform “Holiday Pops” at 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets start at $18.70. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'Holiday Pops' concert to feature Columbus Symphony, Chorus and Santa
