Photo courtesy of CSOMusic
Treasures of Christmas: Conroe Symphony rings in the Holidays with Tenor Kenneth Gayle
The Conroe Symphony Orchestra (CSO) invites the community to one of its most cherished traditions, Treasures of Christmas, on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church Conroe. Led by Music Director Gary Liebst and returning soloist, acclaimed tenor Kenneth Gayle, the concert blends beloved holiday favorites with brand-new arrangements; and closes with the audience sing-along that has become a signature of the season.
For Liebst, the concert is a highlight of the year and one that never loses its magic. “We do this concert every year, and it never grows old,” he said. “Holiday music is especially well suited to the timbres and textures only an orchestra can provide, and I am so thankful to be in a position to present this to our community. It is always a magical concert.”
True to its name, Treasures of Christmas balances the music audiences have come to know and love with exciting new works. Traditional favorites include Sleigh Ride and a collection of beloved hymns and Christmas folk songs, alongside fresh arrangements like the Christmas Ornaments Overture by composer Lucas Richman and Jeff Tyzik’s pairing of the Wexford Carol and Christmas Reel.
“The Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish Christmas carol dating back centuries, ” Liebst explained. “This arrangement combines its reflective melody with the spirited Christmas Reel, drawing on the lively rhythms of Irish traditional music. ”
Audiences will also hear a playful new take on a holiday classic: a Mini Jazz Suite drawn from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
“Familiar melodies from the original ballet are transformed into swinging rhythms, syncopation, and a whole lot of fun,” Liebst said. The suite reimagines the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Arabian Dance, and Russian Dance, bringing the magic of The Nutcracker into the world of jazz.
Returning to the CSO stage, tenor Kenneth Gayle brings his commanding presence to a program of heartfelt holiday arrangements he personally selected. His features include O Holy Night, Schubert’s Ave Maria, I Wonder as I Wander, We Three Kings, What Child is This, and Pietro Yon’s Gesù Bambino.
“Kenneth is a strong performer with a commanding presence on stage, and I think audiences will enjoy his heartfelt interpretations of the special holiday arrangements he has chosen,” Liebst said.
A Seattle native, Kenneth Gayle is a tenor critically recognized for his vocal beauty, musicality, and dramatic skill, with a performing career spanning standard and new vocal repertoire on opera and concert stages throughout the United States. Since 2023, he has served as Director of Music and Fine Arts at Unity of Houston, and he previously served as Producing Director for Music Doing Good. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Apollo Chamber Players, provides private vocal instruction, and is a passionate advocate for the arts.
As it does each year, the concert will close with a community sing-along of traditional carols, backed by the full orchestra. For Liebst, it’s one of the most meaningful moments of the season.
“The sing-along is fun because everyone participates together during a season when we like to talk about peace, harmony, and good will toward men,” he said. “It’s a real ‘we’re all in this together’ moment, and the orchestra makes it special with the wonderful sounds it produces to back up the audience on all those traditional carols. I hope the families who attend this year’s concert experience a sense of Christmas tradition and a sense of community as we all come together to celebrate the holidays.”
Liebst notes the concert holds special meaning for families and newcomers alike. “It’s a special event, especially for children and families who don’t regularly attend orchestral concerts,” he said. “It combines the beauty of live music with a strong sense of community, tradition, and participation.”
Tickets for Treasures of Christmas are available now through the Conroe Symphony Orchestra’s website at conroesymphony.org. Patrons are encouraged to get their tickets online as the event will sell out. Don’t miss this chance to experience World Class Music right here in Conroe on December 19, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church Conroe located at 4308 W Davis St. There will be activities for the kids as well.
The orchestra is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts. The CSO is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are on sale now at https://conroesymphony.org/ or by calling the box office at 936-760-2144.
Source: Conroe Symphony Orchestra
