Call it a match made in holiday heaven.
Columbus Indiana Philharmonic music director David Bowden has long talked of how choosey he is about returning guest artists with his ensembles.
Which says plenty about the Wright Brothers of north-suburban Indianapolis.
The trio of siblings Tim and Tom Wright and longtime friend John McDowell work well enough with the veteran maestro that they are making their third appearance in as many years with the Philharmonic. This time, it’s for a pair of Christmas concerts Sunday at Judson Erne Auditorium. The group also performed with Bowden at last year’s Christmas shows with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“There is a substantial personal charisma that emanates from the three singers,” Bowden said before the group’s most recent local performance last year. “Audiences simply love listening to them. This is true with each of them individually and of the three together.”
The threesome, together with its current lineup since 1977, will bring seasonal favorites such as “Jingle Bell Rock” other songs such as “Mr. Tanner/O Holy Night,” Ricky Skaggs’ “New Star Shining” and the original tune, “Christmas Love.”
The band has performed in such varied formats as the Grand Ole Opry and the “Today” show.
The concerts also will include holiday favorites from the Philharmonic orchestra, such Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday,” Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker, a Chanukah medley, and a holiday sing-along.
Led by artistic Ddrector Ruth Dwyer and assistant directors Camilla Gehring, Heather Simpson and Nicholas Kohne, the Columbus Indiana Children’s Concert, Descant and Preparatory Choirs will join the orchestra at the matinee performance. The evening concert will feature the CICC Concert Choir.
The Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir, begun 20 years ago, is an auditioned group of about 160 young in grades 4 to 8 from central Indiana. The choir has sung at Carnegie Hall and has toured the United States and Europe.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Giving the gift of music” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Who: The Wright Brothers and the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir joining the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic for two “Philharmonic Holidays!” concerts.
When: 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Judson Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th St. in Columbus.
On the program: “Bugler’s Holiday,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and many others.
Tickets: $5 to $35, available at 812-376-2638 at thecip.org.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
