It is time again to celebrate the Holiday Season with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (RSO). Join us for Light Up the Night under the direction of Conductor and Music Director, Maestro Zeljko Milicevic on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Road, Rochester, Michigan.

The evening will feature selections from the Stoney Creek High School Choir directed by Dr. Brandon Ulrich, Director of Choral Activities.

Guest soloist, Timothy Michling will delight with a bagpipe solo, Highland Cathedral, one of the biggest bagpipes tunes ever. Mr. Michling is an instructor of oboe at Oakland University and earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

The orchestra will entertain holiday concertgoers with a variety of nostalgic seasonal favorites; Sleigh Ride, Angels We Have Heard on High, and A Christmas Festival. Leroy Anderson’s superb arrangement of five popular Christmas songs scored in a variety of styles; Winter Wonderland, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year always delights.  The RSO traditional Sing-along, Let There Be Peace on Earth is always a favorite.

Other selections for the evening are Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve Polanaise, the Chanukah Suite arranged by Jeff Tyzik, the Gold and Silver Waltz by Franz Lehar and A Most Wonderful Christmas arranged by Robert Sheldon.

The RSO is again gathering gifts for the United States Marines’ “Toys for Tots.” The Marines will be represented by senior members of the United States Marine Corps stationed at Selfridge ANG.  RSO audiences are traditionally known for their generosity, so if you wish, bring an unwrapped toy or children’s book to the concert, and bring a smile to a child this holiday season.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for students and are available on our website at https://www.rochestersymphony.com/event/light-up-the-night or call the Box Office at 248-651-4181.  Tickets are also available at the door, but this concert sells out every year, so get your tickets early. Parking is always free.