Newburgh symphony's holiday concert set for Dec. 14

The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra (GNSO) will perform its third annual Holiday Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. at Aquinas Hall on the Mount Saint Mary College campus in Newburgh.

The first two Holiday concerts were enthusiastically applauded, with the 2018 production almost selling out.

“The concert is named ‘And Glory Shone Around’ and begins with selections from Handel’s beloved ‘Messiah,' music director Russell Ger said in the press release detailing the production. "In an audience survey last year, this was a much repeated request and it will be a very special addition to the seasonal celebration. I myself first performed it as a chorus member in my freshman year of college in Australia and have loved it ever since.

The program will also feature lush orchestration of Holiday favorites, including "Let it Snow," "O Holy Night" and Hanukkah songs.

"We will conclude," Ger added, "with our tradition of audience participation in the finale medley.”

Now in his fourth season of GNSO leadership, Ger has led the orchestra to new attendance records and artistic heights, most recently at the season-opening “Core of My Heart” concert in September.

There are six subscription concerts scheduled for the season, with the high likelihood of repeats of last season’s successful Moxart and Boscobel concerts.