Holland Symphony Orchestra set for annual holiday performances

Austin Metz, Holland Sentinel
·2 min read

HOLLAND — Members of the community are invited to get in the Christmas spirit as the Holland Symphony Orchestra gets ready for their annual holiday concert, "Celebrate the Season."

This year’s concert will feature a variety of seasonal classics, traditional carols and holiday pops like "The Nutcracker," "Sleigh Ride" and "O Holy Night" and will also feature Holland favorites Stephen and Allison Martin.

Kay Walvoord, president and CEO of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, said Stephen and Allison have recently moved to Houston after leaving Holland.

“Steve was music director at Christ Memorial (Church) and both of them were beloved there,” Walvoord wrote in an email. “The concert will be a reunion of sorts as many members are looking forward to hearing them again.”

The Holland Symphony Orchestra performs during a recent show. HSO will play their Christmas concerts on Dec. 9, 2023.
The Holland Symphony Orchestra performs during a recent show. HSO will play their Christmas concerts on Dec. 9, 2023.

Allison Martin received her master's of music in vocal performance from Michigan State University and a bachelor's degree in music performance from Goshen College. She’s performed throughout the United States and in Italy singing opera and musical theater. She currently serves as Interim Managing Director for the Next Festival of Emerging Artists.

Stephen Martin has a doctorate in voice performance, master's degrees in voice performance and music theory pedagogy, and a bachelor's degree in voice performance, all from Michigan State University. He has performed with The Santa Fe Opera, The Detroit Symphony and others and currently serves as Director of Music and Fine Arts at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

For Walvoord and HSO, there is nothing better than bringing the Christmas cheer to Holland.

“It is always a joy to share music of the holidays that everyone loves to hear,” she said.

There will be two performances, one at 3:30 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Hope College’s Dimnent Memorial Chapel at 277 College Ave. in Holland.

Tickets are available online at hollandsymphony.org or at the door. Tickets are $28 for adults and $5 for students.

— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Symphony Orchestra set for annual holiday performances