The Jacksonville Symphony is gearing up to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with another season of festive performances. Each December, the Symphony presents 17 concerts for an audience of 21,000 patrons.
Merriment soars to new heights as the Symphony presents Jacksonville’s liveliest holiday tradition: the annual "Holiday Pops" concerts. Running from Dec. 7 to 10, these festive performances will be led by returning guest conductor Tim Hankewich and will feature Broadway veteran and vocalist Ryan Silverman, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and dancers from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.
Programming includes holiday classics that audiences know and love while Jacoby Symphony Hall is filled with an indoor snowfall. Additionally, the Symphony is offering a free photo opportunity with Santa 90 minutes before performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 3 p.m. Dec. 9.
On Dec. 11, Assistant Conductor and Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) Music Director Grant O'Brien will lead JSYO’s young musicians in their “Holiday Concert.” Featuring all six JSYO ensembles, this performance is a heartwarming testament of the talents and growth of JSYO’s musicians, who have honed their skills throughout the year.
The Jacksonville Symphony’s “First Coast Nutcracker,” presented by VyStar, has been a holiday staple on the First Coast for more than 50 years. Running from Dec. 15 to 17, this popular ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be presented in six performances, including two special matinee performances for more than 4,000 students.
Lead by Associate Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald, the Jacksonville Symphony’s production is the only “Nutcracker” in Northeast Florida to feature a full, live orchestra and the only major orchestra in the country to produce a fully staged professional production. From the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the “Waltz of the Flowers,” this annual ballet, complete with outstanding sets, costumes and a bit of magic, features the talents of hundreds of students and several professional ballet dancers.
As the “Nutcracker” weaves its magic in the Moran Theatre, another classic holiday performance comes to life in full splendor inside Jacoby Symphony Hall: “Handel's Messiah.” On Dec. 16 and 17, Music Director Courtney Lewis will lead the Symphony through George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece. As one of the best known and most frequently performed choral works in the world, “Messiah” always leaves audiences spellbound with the majesty of this incredible work.
In countless ways, the Jacksonville Symphony’s holiday concerts unite the community in celebration and in the shared hope for a joyous future.
The Symphony is celebrating its 74th season of presenting world-class symphonic music to the First Coast.
For information and tickets, go to jaxsymphony.org/symphony-holidays.
