CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia and the UVA University Singers join forces to present their annual Family Holiday Concerts on Saturday, December 5, at 8:00pm and Sunday, December 6, at 3:30pm. Michael Slon, director of UVA’s premiere vocal ensemble, and music director of the Oratorio Society of Virginia, will conduct the performances at Old Cabell Hall on the Grounds of the University of Virginia.

Through the years, these concerts have become an eagerly awaited holiday tradition.  This year’s program is brimming with festive favorites for concertgoers young and old, naughty and nice: Carol of the Bells, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Winter Wonderland, Deck the Halls and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.  Young revelers can look forward to a suite from The Polar Express and Disney’s Frozen.  And an annual tradition, The Twelve Days of Christmas with audience participation always results in hilarious fun.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove will make a guest appearance as the narrator in Randol Bass’s arrangement of The Night Before Christmas.  Among her numerous literary and academic honors are the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.  She is the only poet to have received both the National Medal of Arts from President Obama (2011) and the National Humanities Medal from President Clinton (1996).  Ms. Dove is currently a Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia.

On both days, small ensembles will treat audience members to festive carols before the concerts and during intermissions.

The Saturday concert is sponsored by Hantzmon Wiebel LLP.  Additional support is provided by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Virginia.

Free parking is available in the UVA Central Grounds Parking Garage, located on Emmet Street. The Charlottesville Free Trolley stops on McCormick Road at the UVA Amphitheater, adjacent to Old Cabell Hall.  The hall is wheelchair accessible.

Tickets are $10-45 for adults and $10 for students.  UVA students may request one complimentary ticket in advance.  Tickets may be purchased at The University of Virginia Arts Box Office, (434) 924-3376, 12:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lobby of the Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road, or on-line at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu.

Family Holiday Concerts are not recommended for children under the age of five.

– Janet Kaltenbach