“American Idol” star Michael Lynche headlines the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s “Jolly Holiday” Pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. The earlier concert time is in response to many patrons’ reluctance to come downtown at night, and to the needs of families, for whom the matinee format is much more conducive to bringing young children to hear the music, according to the orchestra’s executive director Paul Lambert.
According to his program biography, “Michael Lynche is a new breed of soul singer with completely classic influences. Traces of Donny Hathaway, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Sam Cooke and James Brown all seem to flash in this uniquely talented performer. Undeniable charisma, well-crafted song arrangements and a voice soaked in soul give the big man class all his own. ‘Big Mike’—as he was known while winning over the hearts of a nation during his stint on American Idol—has talent so versatile, he’s played intimate jazz & blues clubs, 20,000 seat arenas and opera halls with 100 piece orchestras backing him. Through it all ‘Big Mike’ has always had one singular goal: to spread a message of love wherever he goes.”
Guest conductor William Waldrop returns to lead the orchestra, Springfield Symphony Chorus (Nikki Stoia, conductor) and soloists. A noted Broadway conductor, Waldrop most recently served as the associate conductor for Broadway’s longest-running musical, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Equally comfortable on the podium with the orchestra on stage or conducting from the pit, Maestro Waldrop has been hailed for his “dynamic conducting” and is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras throughout the United States. He is known for being comfortable in a huge range of musical genres and styles—from Broadway and the American Songbook, to rock ‘n’ roll, swing and Motown, to the unforgettable hits of The Beatles.
In addition to his visits with the Springfield Symphony, Waldrop’s appearances as guest conductor include performances with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Long Beach Symphony, the Boise Philharmonic, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday’s program also features Cantor Elise Barber, singers from the Extended Family Choir (Kevin Sharpe, conductor), and singers from the Springfield Conservatory for the Arts (Marcos Carreras, director).
Many of the musical selections, among them Michael Lynche’s own “Every Merry Christmas” and “Christmas Gift,” are arranged by noted pops conductor and Grammy-winning composer/arranger Jeff Tyzik, including “Silent Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “Joy to the World.” Hanukkah favorites include “Hanukkah Candle Blessings with Maoz Tsur (Rock of Ages)” and Flory Jagoda’s sprightly “Ocho Kandelikas.”
With a nod to Hollywood holiday fare, Waldrop has included a suite from Dmitri Tiomkin’s score to Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film “It’s A Wonderful Life.” “We Need A Little Christmas” from Jerry Herman’s “Mame” tips a hat to Christmas on Broadway. No holiday concert would be complete without an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” and the SSO will oblige with “Waltz of the Flowers.”
The afternoon concludes with a holiday sing-along, which inevitably sends everyone out into the December chill with a spring in their step and a song in their hearts.
Tickets, priced from $35 to $80, may be obtained on the SSO’s website or by calling the box office at 413-733-2291.
Before – and after – the concert….
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra invites all to enjoy festive pre-concert activities prior to its matinee on Saturday at 4 p.m. Holiday gift shopping and a festive photo booth will be available starting at 2:30 p.m.
• The Holiday Photo Booth will be available on the second floor of the Mahogany Room starting at 2:30 p.m. providing a fun remembrance of the holiday concert. The Photo Booth will be available until the start of the performance at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the Photo Booth will benefit the orchestra.
• Holiday shopping in the Mahogany Room will feature a boutique-like experience, with many local businesses on-site. Attendees can shop a range of local products for their holiday shopping, from handcrafted jewelry to tasty treats, and gift wrapping will also be available for a small fee. The shopping will be open when doors open at 2:30 p.m., during intermission, and following the concert.
• Attendees are also asked to bring nonperishable food items for the SSO’s partnership with American International College’s Home Run for the Hungry food drive. Those who contribute a food item or monetary donation prior to the start of the concert will be eligible for a raffle for four tickets to an upcoming SSO performance.
