BY MARY KAY SWEIKAR
DANVILLE — More than 150 talented vocalists from the area will bring the holiday spirit to the Danville High School Auditorium when they join the Danville Symphony Orchestra in the "Voices of Christmas" concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12.
Featured soloist will be Garrett Taylor of Catlin, who will perform "O Holy Night" and other Yuletide favorites. Also singing will be the Danville High School Madrigal Singers, Contemporaires and Delegation; the Sweet Adelines; and the newly formed DSO Community Choir.
Maestro and DSO music director Jeremy Swerling said, "This Christmas the DSO is reaching out to the community to bring people together to sing the great songs we associate with the holidays. Danville has an abundance of talent. This concert will showcase that, while providing a wonderful opportunity for singers to be supported by our professional orchestra."
The program will include a balance of performances by the orchestra and the various singing groups. The orchestra will perform Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangement of "The Many Moods of Christmas," along with the community choir.
The evening will end with the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah, sung by the combined choirs.
Sue Richter of Oakwood is a member of the DSO Community Choir.
"I’m having a lot of fun meeting all the other singers who joined the choir," Richter said. "This will be a wonderful Christmas show and a good way to get into the holiday spirit. I think it’s cool that the Danville Symphony has reached out to include so many talented individuals from the area for this production."
John Terry, treasurer of the DSO Board, also is singing in the community choir along with his wife, Janet.
"This choir is an excellent opportunity for people who like to sing," Terry said. "I feel that the symphony is a cultural jewel in our community of Danville."
"Voices of Christmas" is sponsored by the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation.
IF YOU GO
The Danville Symphony Orchestra will present “Voices of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Danville High School auditorium. Ticket prices for adults are $26 in section A and $24 in Section B. Senior tickets are $24 in section A and $22 in section B. Student tickets cost $13. Visa and Master Card are accepted.
To order tickets by phone, call 217-443-5300.
