Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra Embraces Holiday Spirit with November 15 Concert
The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra (WASO) is set to present a charming, family-friendly concert titled “Classical Treasures” as a festive lead-up to the holiday season. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on November 15 at Worthington’s Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center.
WASO’s fall concert promises a varied program, featuring both timeless classics and holiday favorites. Kris Stewart, a WASO leadership team member and flutist, shared insight about the event’s finale:
“We’ll end the concert with a couple of Christmas selections — Mel Tormé’s cherished ‘The Christmas Song,’ and our traditional closer, Dan Goeller’s ‘A Christmas Carol Sing-Along.’”
Before the festive pieces, attendees will enjoy a range of compositions that appeal to all ages. Stewart highlighted the opening number:
“Our first number, ‘The Light Cavalry Overture’ by Austrian composer Franz von Suppé, is an invigorating tune — one that most people will recognize by its sound if not by its name.”
Another key work on the program is Nebraska-born composer Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, Opus 30 in D-flat Major, often called his “Romantic” symphony. WASO conductor Christopher Stanichar described the piece:
“It’s a short American symphony that’s a little more serious. It’s Hanson’s most famous symphony.”
Stanichar also noted Hanson’s impact in the music world:
“Howard Hanson went on to become a well-known teacher and mentor at Eastman School of Music. He wrote this symphony during the Depression era, and it has a lot of hopefulness to it.”
Concert Highlights
- Opening with “The Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé
- Performance of Howard Hanson’s “Symphony No. 2, Opus 30 in D-flat Major”
- Holiday finale including Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song” and Dan Goeller’s “A Christmas Carol Sing-Along”
This concert promises to be an engaging and uplifting experience, blending classical masterpieces with holiday cheer.
Author’s summary: The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra’s November 15 concert offers a joyful mix of invigorating classical pieces and beloved holiday tunes, celebrating music’s timeless spirit.