West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and Singers present an annual holiday concert in Hinsdale
“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values,” said American religious leader and author Thomas S. Monson. The members of the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and Singers relate to these words and enter the holiday season giving to our community the gift of music, happiness, joy, hope and meaning. This great musical institution invites everyone to attend its annual holiday concert that will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, at Hinsdale Central High School located at 55th and Grant Streets in Hinsdale.
The West Suburban Symphony Orchestra has been known in the area for decades. It was founded in 1947, shortly after World War II, by the West Suburban YMCA in La Grange Park, at the request of a dedicated group of local residents. In 1950, the orchestra became a not-for-profit fine arts organization. Through all these years the directors, the musicians and the staff members have been carrying the same principals and ideas – to delight their audiences by offering enjoyable and affordable musical programs in the Chicago area and to enrich the cultural life of the community. In 2003, the West Suburban Symphony Singers chorus was founded, adding more opportunities for this great orchestra. Together, they successfully present works for orchestra and symphonic chorus.
Each year the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Peter Lipari, prepares a great holiday concert program for its audience. Maestro Peter Lipari puts all his time, soul and talent into serving as the West Suburban Symphony Society Music Director and Conductor. He has been successfully performing this role since 2001. Maestro Lipari is known as an accomplished leader of orchestras, bands, choruses, and musical stage productions in the United States and abroad with more than thirty years of experience. He has a recognizable vibrant conducting style, pays great attention to choosing a repertoire and possesses the ability to make every audience member feel warm and welcome.
This family friendly holiday concert will demonstrate that warmth through the sounds of music. The West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and Singers will perform choral and orchestral favorites, but there will be also a surprise for everyone in the audience, especially, for the younger music lovers. “You’ll capture the wonder of the season at this concert for the whole family, with music ranging from purely traditional to popular modern interpretations of carols,” says Symphony president Richard Lukes. “And we expect a jolly visitor from the North Pole to drop in at intermission with treats for the little ones.”
Instrumental music will include the acclaimed “Christmas Overture” medley of carols by British composer Nigel Hess. It will put the audience in the right mood for the upcoming Christmas season. Also, the orchestra will present “The Christmas Tree” (suite) by talented Russian composer and pianist Vladimir Rebikov, which will touch everyone’s heart with its warm and touching melody lines and sensitivity. Besides that, the audience will be delighted to hear selections from the animated movies “Frozen” and “Happy Feet”.
The chorus will join the orchestra performing “White Christmas” by famous American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin. The sounds of this piece will spread the spirit of happiness, goodwill and joy all over the concert hall and make the atmosphere light and merry. The orchestra along with the chorus will also perform a Christmas carol called “O Holy Night” by French composer Adolphe Adam. Written in 1847, this carol is still popular all over the world because of the beautiful combination of music and lyrics and its endless sensitivity. The audience will also have a chance to enjoy the delicate sounds of “Christmas Day” by English composer, arranger and teacher Gustav Holst, and well-known selections from “Messiah” – the timeless composition by famous German composer George Frederic Handel.
To learn more about this concert program and to purchase tickets, please go to www.westsubsymphony.org or call 630-887-7464. The prices for tickets are: $25 adult, $23 senior, $5 teens, and children are free. Don’t miss this great opportunity for your entire family to start this holiday season with the sounds of beautiful Christmas music presented to you with love. These musicians will give you a gift of Christmas spirit and joy.
Natalia Dagenhart