The Penfield Symphony Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the Rochester community for more than 60 years, will present a concert, “Holiday Classics,” the second concert of the PSO’s 69th season. This concert, filled with festive music designed to lift holiday spirits, will be led by the PSO’s new Music Director, Dr. Jared Chase.

The concert opens with Coleridge-Taylor’s endearing Christmas Overture, a clever integration of beloved, famous carols.  A Holst Christmas follows, which is an artfully crafted medley that combines several of Holst's own best-loved Christmas titles. 

Then Tchaikovsky’s Suite from The Nutcracker will feature dancers from the New York State Ballet.  Come and greet the Sugar Plum Fairy!    

Tyzik’s Chanukah Suite captures favorite seasonal melodies like “My Dredl” and “Rock of Ages.”

Many favorite holiday tunes over the years have come from movie soundtracks. Christmas at the Movies is an entertaining piece that includes: “The Polar Express,” “Somewhere in My Memory” (from Home Alone), and “Overture” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Mezzo-soprano Jessica Ann Best will join the PSO in "Winter Wonderland," "O Holy Night," and our traditional "Holiday Sing-a-long."

This concert has received special support from a Monroe County Midsized Arts Grant, and will be held on December 16, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Penfield High School Auditorium, located at 25 High School Drive in Penfield, New York.   Tickets can be purchased online at www.penfieldsymphony.org, by phone at 585-872-0774, and at the door on the night of the concert.  Tickets cost $15 for adults. For students of any age with a student ID, $1.  Group rates are available for parties of six or more.

The Penfield Symphony Orchestra is a 90-piece orchestra whose goal is to enrich the Rochester community by providing fine music in a setting where both amateur and professional musicians can perform a variety of classical repertoire. For information on concerts and highlights, follow the Penfield Symphony Orchestra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PenfieldSymphonyOrchestra, or visit the website at http://www.penfieldsymphony.org.

Founded in 1955, the Penfield Symphony Orchestra (PSO) offers four classical music concerts per season to audiences of all ages. Amateur and professional musicians in the 90-piece orchestra enrich the Rochester community by providing fine classical, modern, and pops music. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the orchestra also sponsors an annual competition where young musicians audition to win recognition and an opportunity to solo with a symphony orchestra. Over its history, the PSO has commissioned many new works, and concerts have featured guest artists of local and national renown. The PSO Board of Directors and musicians are dedicated volunteers who are passionate about promoting arts and music and who, quite simply, like to make and perform great music together.