San Bernardino Symphony Recommends Staying “Home for the Holidays”

Following the opening to their 86th season, the San Bernardino Symphony is now gearing up for their first holiday concert in many years. “We wanted to create an enchanting evening appropriate for both young and young at heart,” said Symphony Maestro Frank Fetta of the upcoming Dec. 20 concert. “We hope the entire community comes out to share this special time of year together.” Presented with major sponsorship by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the “Home for the Holidays” concert will feature music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Anderson’s Festival of Carols, Handel’s Messiah and Judas Maccabaeus, Williams’ Home Alone, and more. The Symphony will be joined by a 75-voice choir, but the audience will also have a chance to lift their voices in the Halleluiah Chorus. “Without giving too much away, it is appropriate to say that both young and not-so-young should expect more than a few surprises on this special night,” added Symphony Executive Director Dr. Anne Viricel. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to the Historic California Theatre to enjoy the sounds of strolling carolers and the sites of the magnificently decorated California Theatre. Inside, they may choose to attend a pre-concert lecture led by acclaimed music historian Michael Tacchia, or venture up into the California Room to hear local school principals reading holiday favorites. Little ones will enjoy frosting holiday treats and meeting children’s book author Jamie Beck who will be signing copies of her books as special gifts for the youngest audience members. “This is something we have been asked to do for many years, so we are especially pleased to dedicate this concert to our community, and we hope this will be the start of a new local tradition,” said Symphony Board President Dr. Judith Valles. Upcoming Concerts: “We believe this will be an outstanding season full of beautiful music and many exciting surprises,” said Fetta, “and we invite the community to come and enjoy all the San Bernardino Symphony has to offer.” On Feb. 7, the Symphony will bring a number of popular favorites to the southland with “Musical Genius in America.” The line-up includes Ragtime selections from Scott Joplin, a medley of tunes from Duke Ellington, William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, and Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue interpreted by pianist Yana Reznik. Feb. 6, this concert will also be performed for students in the San Bernardino City Unified School District as part of the Symphony’s acclaimed student enrichment program. April 11, two Symphony musicians – Concert Master Todor Pelev and Principal Cellist Ana Maria Maldonado - will team up to play Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Violincello. The evening’s concert, “Beethoven, Brahms & Bartholdy” will also include Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s Symphony No. 3, The Scottish Symphony. This performance will be a multi-media event, featuring interpretive works by local student artists and will be followed by a special reception for the artists. On May 3, the Symphony will perform “Mosaico,” a concert dedicated to the music of Latin America, at Perris Hill Park’s Roosevelt Bowl. This free community event will also feature dancers from Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles. Come early to enjoy various genres of art in the park prior to the concert, and music from local musicians. Wrapping up the year will be the “Triumphant Season Finale” on May 23. The concert will include Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 featuring horn soloist Joseph Ognibene. An internationally-known recording artist, Ognibene hails from Claremont and has been principal horn of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra since 1981. All regular season concerts will be performed at the historic California Theatre, 562 W. 4th Street, San Bernardino. Both season and individual tickets may be purchased by calling 909-381-5388 or visiting the Symphony box office at 198 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino. Special family pricing is available for this concert. General admission tickets are also available online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org, and with limited availability at the theater box office the evening of each event. In addition to the regular concert season, this year, the San Bernardino Symphony will also be featured in concerts in Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Fontana, and other locations throughout the region.