Grammy-nominated Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra to present holiday concert
UPPER DARBY >> The Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of Reuben Blundell, will present a holiday concert 3 p.m. Sun., December 2 at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center.
The concert will feature seasonal music and is a celebration of young talent. The holiday concert opens with “Finlandia” by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Next in the line-up is “Zigeunerwisen” by Spanish composer Pablo de Sarasate featuring violinist Lea Wang, winner of the 2018 Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra’s Irving Ludwig Competition. Following is Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and then “Light” by Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon, one of America’s most performed living composers. Next is “A Christmas Fantasy” composed by the Ann Wyeth McCoy, the youngest sister of Andrew Wyeth, when she was just 18 years old. The orchestra continues its celebration of youth collaborating with the Upper Darby High School choir on “All Bells of Paradise” by British composer John Rutter. Next, the Upper Darby High School choir performs a cappella selections including “Stille Nacht” arranged by Priano and “Wade in the Water” arranged by Gibbs. The orchestra then joins the choir to perform Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” The finale brings the audience, musicians and young singers together with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah.”
Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens, and $5 for students and can be purchased by calling the box office at 610622-1189
or by visiting www. udpac.org. Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is \at
601 N. Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill. Parking is free. For more information on the upcoming season visit www. lansdowneso.org.
Music Director Reuben Blundell and the LSO’s debut CD “American Romantics III” is a nominee for the 61st Grammy Awards in the Best Orchestral Performance category. The first round of voting by the Recording Academy took place in early October with LSO’s CD among
141 entries deemed eligible for the Classical category out of over 20,000 submissions that span the gamut of genres. The next round of voting in early December will identify nominees to be invited to the Grammy ceremony where the final winner will be announced.
In addition to a raffle for several themed gift baskets at the concert, audience members are encouraged to participate in a silent auction for the opportunity to conduct the orchestra in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” during the 2019 holiday concert. The gift baskets will be on display in the lobby along with the silent auction. Proceeds support the orchestra.
Ridley Township to hold annual Christmas Tree lighting
Ridley Township will hold its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, on the grounds of the municipal building, MacDade Boulevard and Morton Avenue. Rain date is Dec. 5.
Entertainment will precede Santa’s arrival at 6:45. Hot chocolate and soft pretzels will be served and there will be time for visits with Santa Claus. Attendees are asked to consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for donation to a child in need.
COSA’s Ombudsman staff collecting afghans, yarn
New and gently used afghan blankets are being collected through the Ombudsman Program at COSACounty of Delaware Services for the Aging- to provide holiday warmth and cheer to senior citizens at two local long-term care facilities. Rahmah Allen, COSA’s Ombudsman coordinator, said the afghans not only warm the individual during the winter season, but they “bring comfort and joy” to seniors who might experience loneliness during the holiday season. Allen said statistics indicate that 60 percent of nursing home residents do not receive visitors, even on special occasions such as holidays. Allen and other volunteer ombudsmen will deliver the afghans to two local long-term care facilities on Dec. 20.
This is the eleventh year the Ombudsman Program has sponsored this Afghan Drive. The first year, the ombudsmen were able to deliver afghans to 120 residents at one skilled care facility. This year, their goal is to deliver
97 afghans to Conner-Williams Nursing Home and Fair Acres Geriatric Center.
Any size afghan donation is appreciated. Dimensions that work well with those confined to wheelchairs range from 3540 inches squared. Anyone interested in donating afghans or yarn may drop them off at the COSA office, 206 Eddystone Ave., second floor, Eddystone until Friday, Dec. 14 during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, people can contact Rahmah Allen at 610-872-1868.
Holiday open house for children at Prospect Park Library
Prospect Park Library, 720 Maryland Ave.m, will hold a Holiday Open House and Children’s Clearance Book Sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. Kids can make holiday and seasonal themed crafts. In addition, there will be a variety of inexpensive children’s books to purchase. All proceeds go directly to the library.
For more information, call 610-532-4643, email prospectpark@delcolibraries.org or visit www. prospectparklibrary.org.
Church of the Redeemer to hold Christmas Bazaar
The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 145 W. Springfield Rd., Springfield, will hold their annual Christmas Treasures and More Bazaar 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The event will feature a light breakfast, lunch, cookie walk, raffle baskets, silent auction, and Christmas items. The Thrift Shop will also be open during these hours. Lunch will feature a variety of homemade soups, as well as pizza, hoagies, and hot dogs. Soup-togo will also be available. A large assortment of baked goods will be available at the Cookie Walk. The Silent Auction will close at 2 p.m. Raffle Tickets will be sold during the entire bazaar. All are welcome.
Haverford Township Historical Society hosts 11th annual holiday house tour
The Haverford Township Historical Society will hold its 11th annual holiday house tour 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. People are invited to gather their friends and family and take a self-guided tour of seven homes in Haverford Township, featuring Tudors, Colonials, and Bungalows. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the event at either of the following locations: 536 Kathmere Rd. or 25 Tenby Rd. in Havertown and are priced at $20 for members of HTHS or $25 for non-members. Enjoy dinner at Town Tap, 13 W. Benedict Rd., Havertown where they will be offering 10% off the check on tour day when diners present their tour brochure. All proceeds help HTHS with the upkeep and care of all historical properties. For more information, contact Terri Dougherty at 610449-1571 or www.haverfordhistoricalsociety.org
Media Chamber Chorale to host holiday concerts
Media Chamber Chorale will present “Our Favorite Things – Rutter’s Gloria and Holiday Highlights” concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at Wallingford Presbyterian Church and at 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 8 at Swarthmore United Methodist Church. In celebrating 15 years under the direction of John Stroud, members of the 50-voice choir have chosen their holiday favorites from concerts spanning those years.
The main work for this year’s concert will be John Rutter’s joyful Gloria, with brass and typani. Other selections include traditional English and Basque carols, Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival, African and gospel-inspired carols, a lively Ladino song for Chanukah, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Both churches are handicap accessible. Refreshments will be served after each concert.
Tickets are now available from choir members as well as online at www.mediachamberchorale.org. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors 62+ and students. Tickets will also be available at the door.