SM Symphony and Crossroads Chamber in Concert Sunday ”The Santa Monica Symphony will be joined by the Crossroads School Chamber Orchestra and baritone Jubilant Sykes in a free concert on Sunday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the symphony’s 60th Anniversary. The concert is at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street. ”Under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Allen Robert Gross, the Santa Monica Symphony will open the program with the exciting new piece ‘Momentum’ by Chen Yi, which depicts the thunderous power of a volcano and captures the sweeping dynamism of Chinese calligraphy with themes from traditional Chinese music. ”The Santa Monica Crossroads School Chamber Orchestra, under director Alexander Treger, will play Tchaikovsky’s melodic ‘Souvenir of Florence.’ ”Sykes will sing a selection of traditional American songs and spirituals. ”The program also includes Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony. ”Continuing a 60-year tradition, admission is free to the concerts of the Santa Monica Symphony. Parking in the city’s Civic Auditorium lot is $8. ”A pre-concert talk by Raymond Knapp will take place in the Meeting Room at 6:45 p.m. o o o Mansfield Chamber Singers to Present December Concerts ”The Mansfield Chamber Singers, directed by Kenneth Wells, will begin their 25th anniversary season with two concerts on the theme ‘Singer, Awake and Arise.’ ”The first performance will take place at 4 p.m., Sunday, December 12 at St. Augustine By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 1227 Fourth St. The second will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 18 at Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland in Culver City. ”The music ranges from 17th to the 21st centuries. From the Baroque era are ‘Sing Ye Muses’ by John Blow (Purcell’s teacher) and the ‘Magnificat’ by Pachelbel. The Romantics are represented by Mendelssohn’s ‘Verleih uns Frieden’ and the finale to Beethoven’s ‘Choral Fantasy.’ ”Works by contemporary composers Daniel E. Gawthrop, David Mooney, Robert Applebaum, Howard Helvey, Kenneth Wells and other complete the program. ”Voluntary donations are requested. Contact: 234-0215. o o o Musical Tribute to Highlight Early Broadway ”Operetta Archives presents a musical and theatrical tribute to early Broadway musicals on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall. ”This staged tribute features songs and medley drawn from their shows from the first quarter of the century by four theatrical giants’Victor Herbert, Rudolf Frimi, Jerome Kern and Sigmund Romberg. Familiar works include Mlle. Modiste, the Firefly, The Girl from Utah, and Maytime, and rare gems from shows like ‘The Lady of The Slipper, ‘high Jinks, ‘She’s a Good Fellow, ‘ and ‘Robinson Crusoe, Jr.’ that have fallen into theatrical oblivion. ”The music director/pianist for the concerts will be Victoria Kirsch, one of Southern California’s most respected accompanists, and stage direction by Steven A. Daigle, head of Eastman Opera Theater at the Eastman School of Music. ”Operetta Archives is a private research library in Culver City that houses the country’s largest collection of operetta-related material such as recordings, scores, books, sheet music and posters. ”For tickets ($25), contact 825-2101. o o o Mount St. Mary’s to Present Christmas Choral Concert ”Mount St. Mary’s College Department of Music present a Christmas Choral Concert on Friday, December 10 at Mary Chapel, 12001 Chalon Rd. in Brentwood. ”The Mount Chorus, Mount Singers, MSMC Alumnae and St. Monica High School Women’s Chorus will present traditional and holiday favorites featuring the music of Michael Hayden, Randall Thompson, Gustov Holst, John Rutter, Camille Saint Saens and many others. ”A $10 donation ($5 for students) is requested. o o o Westwood Chamber and Choir Presents Messiah Sing-Along ”The Westwood Chamber Orchestra celebrates the holiday season with a special ‘Messiah’ sing-along concert on Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. at Westwood Presbyterian Church, 10822 Wilshire Blvd. ”Audience members are invited to bring their musical scores and join in as the chorus. Suggested donations at the door are $10 and there are no advance reservations. Vocal scores will also be available for purchase. ”Dr. John-Kevin Hilbert, music director, will conduct the orchestra and Westwood Presbyterian Chancel choir in performing all of Part I of Handel’s seasonal masterpiece plus additional pieces from the work. Guest soloists include Rhonda Dillon, soprano; Gale Oliver Mezzo-soprano; Miguel Vargas, tenor; Conrad Immel and Jason Heck, baritone.
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