Four ways to celebrate the holidays with music

 

Holiday music is a great avenue of joy this time of year. As Buddy the Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

Christmas carols and songs are a delightful way to celebrate the season. If you’re not into caroling yourself, there’s plenty of local talent to do it for you (I personally can’t carry a tune so it’s a blessing to my neighbors if I skip it). Mark the month with a live concert (or two) and start a new holiday tradition! Here’s a list of musical events happening this month.

Fresno Community Concert Band’s Winter Magic

If you’re into modern classics and tunes from White Christmas, check out the Fresno Community Concert Band’s annual offering, “Winter Magic”, on Sunday, Dec. 2. There are two times to choose from, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Active military, veterans, and their family are free for the 7 p.m. show (with ID). The concert will be conducted by Sandy Headrick and Bruce Weinberger, and features soprano Hanna York. Grab your tickets here.

Joyeux Noel by Soli Deo Gloria Women’s Chorale 

Ready to dig deep into local talent? On Friday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church, you can catch the sounds of Soli Deo Gloria Women’s Chorale. Soli Deo Gloria is a non-profit featuring a chorale of women who sing at the highest level of skill. This concert will feature songs written specifically for their group, “Christmas Visions,” composed by E.J. Hinojosa, as well as traditional Christmas carols. This group is conducted by Dr. Julie Carter and will feature Dr. Walter Saul as accompanist. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. You can purchase them online here in advance or plan on spending $20 at the door.

Holiday Concert from Fresno State Choirs and Music Department

Fa-la-la! On Sunday, Dec. 9, head to the Fresno State Concert Hall at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy the sounds of The Fresno State Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and the University Singers. The show will feature traditional holiday music and carols. Dr. Cari Earnheart is the Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Emily Mason is the Director of University Singers, and Dr. Shing-Ming Liao is the collaborative pianist. You can purchase tickets here. General admission is $12, senior tickets are $8, and students are $5 so it’s budget-friendly event!

Mozart + Mahler Concert by Youth Orchestras Fresno

Another impressive concert is taking place Sunday, Dec. 9, with The Mozart and Mahler Concert by Youth Orchestras of Fresno. It’s true, the songs aren’t specifically seasonal, but this concert is for such a great organization, I’m including it. (I’ve discussed the Youth Orchestras Fresno here if you need a re-cap.) The concert will take place at Shaghoian Concert Hall at 4 p.m. and features favorites such as Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, the Titan and Mozart’s Abduction form the Seraglio (and more!).This concert is a $10 donation, but anyone can attend if price is an issue. You can reserve seats in advance here. The Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Dr. Thomas Loewenheim and the Youth Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Adam Elmore.

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Do local concerts add to your Christmas cheer or are you just discovering the deep wells of talent in Fresno? Tell me what your favorite musical traditions are in the comments below!