VSO: Holiday Pops

About

We’re celebrating the season with music that is both reflective and radiant—sending audiences home with a melody in their hearts and a sense of holiday warmth. Our upcoming Holiday Pops concerts feature the full orchestra alongside VSO’s 80-voice chorus, leading spirited sing-alongs and performing festive favorites by Leroy Anderson, George Frideric Handel, Duke Ellington, and Georges Bizet. This year’s program also introduces two works new to VSO audiences: Margaret Bonds’ The Ballad of the Brown King, a powerful cantata honoring Balthazar with text by Langston Hughes, and Bob Krogstad’s Christmas at the Movies, a nostalgic medley featuring themes from The Grinch, The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, and more. Beloved traditional carols round out this joyful, family-friendly holiday tradition.

Andrew Crust, conductor
With the VSO Chorus

Program

Leroy Anderson                 Christmas Festival Overture

George Frideric                 Handel Selections from Messiah

Margaret Bonds                The Ballad of the Brown King

Georges Bizet                  “Farandole” from L’Arlésienne Suite

Bob Krogstad                   Christmas at the Movies

Duke Ellington/Tchaikovsky      Selections from The Nutcracker Suite

arr. Bradford                    “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

arr. Goeller                      Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long

Leroy Anderson                 “Sleigh Ride”