Orchestra wraps holiday in music

By LOGAN NEILL, Times Staff Writer
Published November 30, 2007

The Hernando Symphony Orchestra will present a program that includes holiday carols, modern-day standards and music from films.
	[Daniel Wallace | Times (2004)]

Hernando Symphony Orchestra conductor Wayne Raymond admits that putting together a holiday program can be a daunting task. After all, everyone has notions as to what best represents the sounds of the season.

Is it traditional carols or warm-hearted modern-day standards? Or maybe classical holiday-themed orchestral works?

"The trick is choosing music that is both interesting to perform and familiar to our audiences," Raymond said. "I think having that variety gives audiences a picture of what the holidays truly mean."

According to Raymond, the symphony's holiday concert series "Where Is Christmas?"incorporates everything from popular holiday film music to masterworks traditionally associated with the holidays. It kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center in Brooksville and continues at 2 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Springstead Theater.

The medley titled Santa at the Symphonycleverly intertwines familiar Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Silent Night with segments taken from Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet and Brahms'First Symphony.

Raymond said that although much of the program centers on the lighter side of the holidays, he also chose a few serious pieces, including Good Tidings of Great Joy, an orchestral piece that includes biblical narrations set to themes from Handel's Messiah.

For the youngsters, the orchestra has included music from popular holiday films such as The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Broadway fans will recognize the medley Christmas on Broadway, which includes familiar snippets from Babes in Toyland and The Sound of Music.

For Raymond, who is in his eighth year as the orchestra's conductor, the holiday concert series offers a prelude to what he expects will be a fruitful season. The 70-member ensemble has been strengthened by several additions to the string section, many of whom are products of Chocachatti Elementary School's strings education program.

"Having that program in our county has been a godsend to the orchestra," said Raymond. "I see it becoming more and more important to us down the road."

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or 352 848-1435.

If you go

'Where Is Christmas?'

The Hernando Symphony Orchestra will present holiday music and themes at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville, and at 2 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Springstead Theater, 3300, Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Single concert tickets are $12 and are available by calling 597-9555.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 20:25:23]