25 Nov 2024 Conway Symphony Orchestra opens holiday season with ‘Sleighbells at the Symphony’
Conway Symphony Orchestra will kick off the holiday season with “Sleighbells at the Symphony” presented by Palmer Music, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
“Palmer Music Company is honored to sponsor the Conway Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concert again this year,” said Preston Palmer, owner of Palmer Music. “As a local business dedicated to fostering musical talent and appreciation, we are thrilled to support this festive event that brings our community together through the joy of music.”
CSO Music Director and Conductor Israel Getzov conducts much of the newly conceived program, featuring the UCA Concert Choir, Frank Eychaner, Director, and vocalist JoAna Rusche. Getzov will welcome Eychaner, as well as CSO Assistant Conductor George Fu, and Guest Conductor, Judy Harkrider to lead the orchestra in turns. Harkrider is excited to conduct the signature tune of holiday programs across the country. “As a retired band director, I am honored to lead the CSO in “Sleigh Ride,” which has always been one of my favorite Christmas tunes!”
The CSO will play orchestral works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as popular holiday favorites including Charlie Brown’s Christmas, A Canadian Brass Christmas, and music from Frozen.
The orchestra accompanies the UCA Concert Choir in selections from the Christmas movie favorite “Home Alone,” as well as Handel’s “Messiah.” Frank Eychaner, director of choral activities at the University of Central Arkansas, speaks about the formative experience for choristers performing with an orchestra. “My first experience with an orchestra changed my life when I performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,” he said. “I’m so pleased that our UCA Concert Choir has this opportunity to collaborate with Maestro Getzov. I know the orchestra’s patrons will love what the choir brings to the concert.”
Vocalist Jo Ana Rusche takes the stage with the choir, performing an aria from Handel’s “Messiah” and the much loved “O Holy Night.” Rusche is an assistant professor of voice at UCA. She recently sang the title role in “Carmen” with Music on Site and was the alto soloist for the 2023 Messiah Festival of the Arts. She performs regularly with local ensembles, including the Arkansas Choral Society and Little Rock Winds, and will be a featured artist in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s River Rhapsodies series in 2025.
New this year, Conway Corp is providing a limited number of free children’s tickets with an adult ticket purchase. “Our core value statement for community says we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community through our services, education initiatives and economic development involvement,” said Crystal Kemp, chief marketing officer at Conway Corp. “We are proud to partner with CSO to give students an opportunity to experience the orchestra and are thankful for the ways CSO shares our value of enhancing the quality of life for our community.”
Children’s tickets are regularly $15. Use code CONWAYCORP for this special offering. All children’s tickets are available through the box office only.
Purchase individual tickets at the Reynolds Box Office on Beatrice Powell St., by calling 501.450.3265 or visit conwaysymphony.org. Adult tickets are $30-50. UCA faculty/staff save $10 on adult ticket purchases and student tickets are$15. UCA Student Rush tickets are $9 in the 48 hours prior to the event, only at the box office.
Audience members are encouraged to come early to take pictures in front of the Christmas tree display in the lobby of Reynolds Performance Hall and stop by the CSO Guild table with CSO-themed gifts. Members of the UCA Cello Club will offer Christmas ornaments for sale to support their club activities. The box office and lobby doors open at 6:30 p.m., one hour before the performance.
For additional information on the concert and how to buy individual concert tickets, visit conwaysymphony.orgor the CSO Facebook page facebook.com/conwaysymphony.
The Conway Symphony Orchestra brings professional concerts, exciting guest artists and high-quality music to the Central Arkansas community. For more information on concerts and programs, visit conwaysymphony.org or call 501.269.1066.
