Submitted by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will spread the joy of the coming holiday season during the 2009 Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts from December 3 –31, 2009, including: Handel’s Messiah on December 3 and 5, 2009; “A Gospel Christmas” on December 4 and 5, 2009; “A Kid’s Christmas” on December 6 and 13, 2009; “Christmas with the ASO” December 10-12, 2009; “A Very Merry Holiday Pops” on December 18 and 19, 2009; and “ASO New Year’s Eve” on December 31, 2009.
Single tickets for these performances are:
HANDEL’S MESSIAH $29 - $59
ATLANTA SYMPHONY’S “GOSPEL CHRISTMAS” $15 - $42
“ASO KID’S CHRISTMAS” $15 - $22
“CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO” $29 - $62
“A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY POPS” $18 - $48
ASO NEW YEAR’S EVE $30 - $68
All tickets may be purchased online at atlantasymphony.org or by calling (404) 733-5000. Tickets may also be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Handel’s Messiah
On December 3 and 5, 2009, at 8:00 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus in Handel’s Messiah and Part III of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, two traditional pieces of the season.
ASO Gospel Christmas
On December 4 at 8:00 p.m., and December 5, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., guest conductor Chelsea Tipton II will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Gospel Choir, directed by Leroy Henderson, in “ASO Gospel Christmas,” a program of holiday gospel favorites.
Returning to Gospel Christmas after its acclaimed debut last season is the all-city ASO Gospel Choir, under the direction of the newly appointed Leroy Henderson, the Associate Music Director at Atlanta’s Elizabeth Baptist Church. The original Gospel Christmas choir was started 15 years ago by Sallie B. Parrish, “Atlanta’s First Lady of Gospel.” Following her retirement, the ASO created its own Gospel Choir, comprised of some members of Ms. Parrish’s choir and new members hand-picked from leading church choirs throughout metro Atlanta.
ASO Kid’s Christmas
On December 6 and 13, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Staff Conductor Jere Flint leads the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in “Second Chance Christmas,” featuring Lee Harper & Dancers. Stranded in a small town that has forgotten Christmas, the ASYO saves the day in the (Saint) Nick of time. Your kids will light up as they watch this heartwarming new Christmas classic, told in Dr. Seuss — like rhyme, and commissioned by the ASYO. This concert is presented by GE Energy.
Christmas with the ASO
On December 10–12, 2009, at 8:00 p.m., ASO Director of Choruses Norman Mackenzie returns to lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Morehouse College Glee Club, and the Gwinnett Young Singers in “Christmas with the ASO,” an annual Atlanta tradition for five decades.
A Very Merry Holiday Pops
On December 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. and December 19, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., ASO Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski conducts “A Very Merry Holiday Pops.” In the tradition of a holiday variety show, this program will feature the Lassiter and Walton High School Choirs under the direction of Janna and Brian Williams, pianist Sam Stryke, Russian dancers, and piano juggler Dan Menendez.
Dan Menendez got his "big break" when he was spotted performing at a Los Angeles comedy club. He was immediately slated to perform on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, and that initial appearance was selected for Carson's primetime "Anniversary Special.” Years of national and international TV appearances followed. He appears in venues all over the world, performing at professional sporting events, banquets, trade shows and concerts. In 2001 he won the Daidogei World Cup in Japan, an international entertainment competition. He has flown over two million miles performing as "The Piano Juggler."
ASO New Year’s Eve
On December 31, 2009, at 8:00 p.m., soprano Sylvia McNair returns to Symphony Hall with selections from The Great American Songbook, including Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Conductor Michael Krajewski leads the Orchestra in selections of favorite light classics.
