Christmas at the Perot to feature variety of holiday music and entertainment
TEXARKANA, Texas — Texarkana Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas at the Perot show promises a full slate of holiday entertainment from a variety of performers.
In addition to the orchestra, the lineup includes soprano singer Maria Fasciano, the Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra, the TSO Chamber Singers and members of the Texarkana Community Ballet.
“What the audiences are going to hear are a lot of their holiday favorites, a lot of things that nostalgically allow us to enjoy the holiday season together,” said Philip Mann, TSO music director and conductor.
Fasciano, an internationally acclaimed operatic soprano, is returning to the show “back by popular demand” after an appearance a few years ago, Mann said. She will sing “O Holy Night” and “Gesù Bambino” solo and join in the singalong that traditionally ends the concert.
“She just brought the house down last time she sang with us a few years ago,” he said. “I brought her back as soon as I could.”
The youth orchestra will perform side-by-side with TSO, each student sharing a music stand with a professional TSO member.
“For the students, it’s sitting next to people who are almost like heroes, and to the professionals, it’s like sitting next to a younger version of themselves. That’s a lot of fun for me as a conductor,” Mann said.
The Community Ballet will perform three selections from “The Nutcracker.” Last year’s Christmas at the Perot was the first time in the ballet’s history that dancers performed with a live orchestra, according to Mann, and the response was “overwhelmingly positive.”
In all, the show will have something for everyone, Mann said.
“It’s really kind of like a holiday spectacle. It’s a variety show with a lot of different contrasting selections,” he said. “You’re going to hear a lot of things that are familiar favorites, but at the same time, you’re going to hear some familiar favorites in new ways and maybe some possible new favorites for people, as well.”
(Christmas at the Perot is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Perot Theatre, 221 Main St. Tickets are available at the Perot Theatre box office, at texarkanasymphony. org and at perottheatre.org.)