Events
Conroe Symphony Orchestra welcomes the holidays with “A Joyous Christmas” concert
The Conroe Symphony Orchestra invites the community to gather for A Joyous Christmas, a festive and heartwarming celebration of seasonal favorites, new musical treasures, and cherished traditions on December 20 at 4:00 p.m. at First Methodist Conroe.
Under the direction of Gary Liebst, this year’s program shines with a blend of timeless carols and fresh holiday discoveries. Highlights include the popular Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano that will feature the trumpet section and the beautifully haunting arrangement by Mannheim Steamroller of Silent Night, featuring CSO principal cellist Daniela Aravelo.
“Every year there are certain traditional favorites that we all expect to hear in any Christmas concert because they remind us of certain holiday memories or certain loved ones that we were with when we heard those songs.” Liebst said when talking about coming up with the theme. “I love that we can provide that kind of reflection when we perform this music.”
Returning to the stage is audience-favorite soprano Nancy Curtis, whose “rich, powerful tone” and “surpassing beauty” of voice have inspired audiences across the United States and abroad. A featured artist with opera companies from New York City Opera to Houston Grand Opera, Curtis brings her signature warmth and elegance to beloved selections including Maria Wiegenlied and the holiday classic Winter Wonderland, and leads the community in the concert’s annual sing-along tradition.
For the audience, the concert promises both traditional and modern joyous music. The evening features The Twelve Gifts of Christmas by JeffTyzik—an inventive and witty re-imagining of The Twelve Days of Christmas, woven with iconic orchestral melodies.
“This is one of our pieces with Nancy Curtis and it is a new interpretation from the perspective of the orchestra,” Liebst said. “Each day of Christmas is replaced with a memorable orchestra melody by one of the great composers that is considered a gift from the musicians to the audience! The arrangement is both creative and masterful in the way it weaves the 12 melodies throughout the framework of the original composition. We couldn’t make this work without our soloist, who gets quite a vocal workout guiding the orchestra through the 12 Days/Gifts of the season!”
Other highlights include:
Mannheim Steamroller’s “Stille Nacht” — a delicate, contemplative setting opening with the warm timbre of cello, performed by Principal Cellist Daniela Aravelo.
“It’s just a few measures, but the cello’s range creates a mystical, haunting mood that sets the scene beautifully,” Liebst said. “Daniela brings such sensitivity to this moment—we’re lucky to have her leadership in the cello section.”
“Linus & Lucy” from A Charlie Brown Christmas, performed by pianist Tingting Yao with jazz-trio accompaniment by Principal Bassist David Scott and Principal Percussionist Seth Bagwell
The Conroe Symphony Orchestra invites both longtime patrons and new community members to experience A Joyous Christmas. “I am so glad that this concert has become a Christmas tradition for so many in the community,” Liebst said. “ I hope everyone leaves tapping their toes to a favorite Christmas melody or humming their favorite traditional Carol.”
Tickets are on sale now for A Joyous Christmas at https://conroesymphony.org/ or by calling the box office at 936-760-2144. The CSO is grateful for its chair sponsors, season ticket holders, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts who support the orchestra throughout the season.
Source: The Conroe Symphony Orchestra
