HOUSTON — From festive carols to family activities, there is something for everyone this holiday season with the Houston Symphony. Catch the holiday spirit with traditional carols such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Little Drummer Boy” at the annual Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall on December 12-14. Principal POPS conductor Michael Krajewski will take the stage with the orchestra for a fun evening of traditional holiday songs to remind people why this is simply the “most wonderful time of the year.”
On December 13, families are encouraged to attend ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas set to beautiful music performed by the Houston Symphony and narrated by Mirron Willis of Houston’s esteemed Ensemble Theatre. Santa may even make an appearance! The 50-minute concert along with the festive Jones Hall decorations will sure get everyone in the spirit of the season.
Keep Yuletide spirits high, December 18-21, as British Royal Family conductor Christopher Warren Green conducts the Houston Symphony in Handel’s Messiah, with classics including “Hallelujah” and “Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted.” Handel’s masterpiece Messiah is a transcendent and captivating program, featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus under Betsy Cook Weber and celebrated guest vocalists, soprano Anna Devin, countertenor Lawrence Zazzo, tenor Barry Banks, and bass-baritone Derek Welton.
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts occur at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street, in Houston’s Theater District. For tickets and information, please call the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at (713) 224-7575, Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, or visit www.houstonsymphony.org unless otherwise noted. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Street, Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. All programs and artists are subject to change.
Very Merry Pops
Friday, December 12, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 14, 2014, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 14, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus
Betsy Cook Weber, director
No holiday would be complete without the spirited Michael Krajewski, a decked-out Jones Hall and the festive, annual tradition of Very Merry Pops. Treat the entire family to a yuletide evening of traditional standards like “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Little Drummer Boy,” and remind yourself why this is simply the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Tickets from $25
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas – Family Program
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 11:30 a.m.
Mirron Willis, narrator
Embrace the joy of the season when the timeless story ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is set to beautiful music performed by the Houston Symphony and narrated by Mirron Willis of Houston’s esteemed Ensemble Theatre. Don’t miss this family holiday favorite, complete with festive carols and Jones Hall decorations to get you in the spirit of the season.
Tickets from $22
Handel’s Messiah
Thursday, December 18, 2014, 8:00 p.m. (Sugar Land series)
Friday, December 19, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 21, 2014, 2:30 p.m.
Christopher Warren Green, conductor
Houston Symphony Chorus
Betsy Cook Weber, director
Handel: Messiah
A fixture of the Houston holiday season, Handel’s masterpiece Messiah is a transcendent and captivating program, featuring the orchestra, Chorus and guest soloists. Experience classics like “Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted,” “O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” and the timeless “Hallelujah.
Tickets from $29
About Houston Symphony
During the 2014-15 season, the Houston Symphony enters its second century as one of America’s leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. This season also marks the inaugural year for new Music Director Andrés Orozco- Estrada. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $29 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 286 performances for 300,000 people, including 82,000 children, annually. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.
