The Cape Ann Symphony’s Annual Holiday Pops Concert kicks off the holiday season this weekend. Hear a joyful program of music from Strauss, Anderson, Mozart, Waldteufel, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and many others on Saturday, November 24 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. Led by CAS Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa, the concert features the return of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts and the conducting debut of Michael Coelho, CAS’s inaugural Conducting Fellow. The Ipswich High School Chamber Singers and the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus will also make their debut with CAS this weekend.
A holiday tradition for many, the shows have already begun to sell out. Tickets are still available for the two Saturday shows. “Last year’s Holiday Pops Concerts were complete sell outs so this year we added a third performance in our new performance venue in Ipswich. This is such an exciting year with the special guests from Ipswich, Manchester and Essex making their CAS debut and joining the orchestra and the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus on the stage. I would suggest getting tickets to the remaining concerts on Saturday afternoon in Ipswich and Saturday night in Manchester soon!” said Cape Ann Symphony Board President Magnolia’s Fran White.
“This will be a program for the entire family, and we can hardly wait to share it with our audiences!” said CAS Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa. This year’s program includes Waldteufel’s S
The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus debuted at the 2005 Holiday POPS Concert and has performed in almost every Holiday POPS Concert since. The 75 plus member chorale under the direction of Wendy Betts is comprised mostly of North Shore residents, the majority of who live on Cape Ann. “It is such a pleasure to work with the singers in our CAS Chorus! They work hard, are disciplined in their music tasks, and put out a lovely choral sound. But best of all, they truly enjoy one another, which is what choral singing is all about,” said Betts.
The Ipswich High School Chamber Singers include 24 members conducted by Abby Frost. The 35-member Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus is led by Donna O’Neill.
The CAS Chorus and Orchestra are joined by the Ipswich High School Chamber Singers on Saturday, November 24 at 2 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School. They are joined by the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Select Chorus on Saturday, November 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 25 at 2 p.m. at Manchester-Essex High School. Single ticket prices are $43 for adults, $38 for senior citizens, $15 for students; $5 for youth 12 and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.