The route through the holidays winds along a different path every year. Josh Aerie, Columbus Symphony Orchestra music director, makes sure of that when his mostly volunteer ensemble presents its annual, free performance at The Commons in downtown Columbus.
The concert is the group’s most popular one every season, attracting perhaps 400-plus people.
The orchestra will perform the 90-minute “A CSO Holiday” at 3:30 p.m. Sunday — and the show will definitely show the softer side of the symphony than 2017’s Trans Siberian Orchestra-inspired rockfest.
In fact, well-known local vocalist Jenny Heichelbech, who has performed in community musicals, recitals and more, will be a featured soloist, crooning a work from “The Messiah” and seasonal pop songs such as “Twelve Gifts of Christmas.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The latter tune seems appropriate, since the symphony considers the whole performance wrapped in joy for its supporters.
“It’s a great privilege for the symphony to be able to provide that gift of holiday tradition for people, and hopefully create some new traditions as well,” Aerie said.
He understands that many people wish for Christmas events to usher a rush of reminiscing.
“Christmas music sticks in people’s minds and memories and creates elements of tradition in so many different ways,” Aerie said. “They hear ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ from ‘The Nutcracker’ and maybe it reminds them of being in the mall. Music helps us gravitate toward traditions so much more at Christmas.”
So it seems logical that Aerie is including numbers such as Leroy Anderson’s staple, “Sleigh Ride,” often on the symphony’s holiday program.
Moreover, for the fourth straight year, music teacher Kathy Dell’s 70-student Parkside Elementary School Choir of fifth- and sixth-graders will perform with the orchestra. They will present “O Tannenbaum,” including one verse in the tune’s original German language, and “A Jolly Merry Christmas,” which is a mix of “Up On the Housetop” and “Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas.”
“There’s nothing sweeter than a child’s voice at Christmas,” Dell said.
She mentioned that the students genuinely feel a sense of excitement performing with an entire orchestra — and sometimes mention it at the beginning of the school year. The reality truly hits them once they get to a practice where there is far more than merely Dell’s piano.
“I always enjoy the look on their face at the rehearsal (with the entire orchestra),” Dell said. Plus, she loves the fact that, since the youngsters are the closing 20 minutes of the show, they can enjoy the orchestra before their contributions.
“That in itself,” she added, “is a really exceptional opportunity.”
Aerie has become a fan of the students’ performances.
“Who doesn’t love to hear a children’s choir during the holidays?” he said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The sounds of Christmas” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Who: The Columbus Symphony Orchestra with vocalist Jenny Heichelbech and also with the Parkside Elementary School Choir performing at "A CSO Holiday."
When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Laura Andrews’ Andrews Strings Studio musicians will perform pre-concert tunes at 3 p.m.
Where: The Commons at 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Information: csoindiana.org.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
