THSO’s Annual Holiday Concert Returns to Tilson Stage
[Terre Haute, IN] – After a virtual presentation of their annual holiday concert in 2020, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) is delighted to usher in the 2021 holiday season with Candlelit Holidays on December 4th at 7:30 PM at Tilson Auditorium. Baritone Rick Vale will join the THSO singing holiday favorites such as The First Noel, O Holy Night, and Angels We Have Heard on High. Terre Haute native and soprano Caroline Goodwin also takes the stage to perform Adele’s “Laughing Song” from Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, a New Year’s celebration musical theater work. The concert also features an exciting new Hanukkah piece by Peter Jaffe.
Artistic Director and Conductor David Bowden, now in his 25th season with the THSO, has programmed another delightful holiday concert including a variety of music and styles. The THSO Trumpet Section will be featured in Leroy Anderson’s festive Bugler’s Holiday to open the show. Later in the program, the THSO Clarinet Section will dazzle audiences with the sweet sounds of Anderson’s Clarinet Candy.
“Clarinet Candy is incredibly fun to play,” commented Principal Clarinet and Executive Director, Samantha Johnson-Helms. “It’s very virtuosic and requires excellent technical ability from all three section players. It is quite the workout!”
Jay Ellsmore, THSO Principal Trumpet and recently appointed Professor of Music at Indiana State University, will also be featured in Alan Hovhaness’s Prayer of Saint Gregory, a beautiful work for solo trumpet and strings. The work first began as an intermezzo in Hovhaness’s opera, Etchmiadzin, before it was made into a separate piece. Hovhaness describes it as “a prayer in darkness.” It has been described as gentle, noble, and proud without being loud or forceful.
“Prayer of Saint Gregory is a beautiful work filled with passion,” said Jay Ellsmore, Principal Trumpet. “The musicians of the THSO always amaze me with their outstanding musicianship so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to perform this piece with them.”
Rick Vale, an award-winning songwriter/composer and singer/actor originally from Seattle, performs in the Midwest as a vocalist for the acclaimed Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra and Indy-Klez. He has often appeared as guest vocalist with the THSO and is an audience favorite. He has also performed as a featured vocalist for many symphonic orchestras, from Seattle to New York and all places in between.
A native of Terre Haute, Indiana, Caroline Goodwin is a soprano pursuing a Master of Music degree in voice at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Voice with an Outside Field in History at IU in 2021. She performed recently as the featured artist in Hats Off to Broadway, a Terre Haute Symphony League fundraiser.
A new Hanukkah piece composed by Peter Jaffe makes an exciting addition to the concert’s repertoire. The work, Symph-Hanukkah, includes Ma'oz tzur (Rock of Ages), Mi y'malel (Who Can Retell?) done in Klezmer style, Hanukkah chag yafeh (Hanukkah, Beautiful Holiday), Blessing over the Hanukkah Lights, Sevivon (Spinning Top) and O Hanukkah (which ends in a blaze of glory). In addition, the Dreidel Song weaves its way into much of the medley.
This concert is proudly sponsored by First Financial Bank, Jerry Penman Mitchell, Ross Elliott Jewelers, and Ed and Lorna Brett in memory of Lorraine Brett. The THSO is also presenting this concert in memory of David & Jerry Mitchell to honor the significant support they provided over the past several decades.
Supper at the Symphony is Back!
The THSO is pleased to host Supper at the Symphony prior to Candlelit Holidays! Come to the concert early and enjoy a delectable three-course meal served in the Heritage Ballroom of Tirey Hall, right down the hall from Tilson Auditorium. The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, and dinner is served promptly at 5:30pm. Dinner reservations are $25 per person. Patrons will enjoy a salad to start and choose one entrée of either Spinach and Boursin stuffed chicken with tomato cream sauce or vegetarian wellington with roasted red pepper coulis. Chocolate layer cake will be served for dessert. Reservations can be made at www.thso.org or by calling the THSO office at (812) 242-8476. Reservations close at 12pm on Tuesday, November 30.
Tickets
Patrons can purchase concert tickets by visiting www.thso.org or calling the Hulman Center at (812) 237-3737. Ticket prices for adults are $17, $38, and $54. Low-cost student and youth tickets are also available. Prices do not include facility and venue fees.
Masks
Per Indiana State University policy, all patrons will be required to wear a mask while indoors at Tirey Hall regardless of vaccination status when not eating or drinking.
Handicap Accessibility
An elevator is available for patrons who need assistance at the rear of Tirey Hall. Please enter through the ground level at the front of Tilson Auditorium, through the downstairs lobby and to the right down the hall. Signage will be posted at the venue.
Parking
Patrons may park in the Indiana State Parking garage located at 750 Cherry Street for free between 4 PM and 11 PM on the day of the concert. Enter the parking garage on Cherry Street. This parking garage is located across the street from Tilson Auditorium. Check www.thso.org for additional parking and travel suggestions related to Candlelit Holidays.
Travel Updates
On December 4, during the THSO’s Candlelit Holidays performance, the following roads will be closed for Miracle on 7th Street in Downtown Terre Haute:
• Wabash Avenue from 6th Street to 8th Street
• 7th Street from Ohio Street to Cherry Street