Symphony to Perform Holiday Candle Lit Concert

Ring in your holiday season this year with the Pasadena Symphony performing a sleigh ride of musical gems by candlelight in Pasadena’s landmark All Saints Church on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. Having performed to a sold-out audience last year, this highly anticipated concert returns with conductor Grant Cooper and special guests including soprano Lisa Vroman, a full chorus of the Donald Brinegar Singers, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and the LA Bronze handbell choir in a joyful celebration sure to get audiences into the holiday spirit.

“Our Holiday Candlelight concert has quickly become a beloved annual tradition and we are so thrilled to present it at All Saints,” stated Paul Jan Zdunek, CEO of the Pasadena Symphony Association. “Not only is it an architectural masterpiece that lends itself to an intimate evening with the Symphony, but it has a rich history of inclusion that we hope to capture with our program.”

The concert will feature holiday classics such as O Holy Night, Handel’s Hallelujah, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow to caroling favorites Good King Wenceslas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Ding Dong Merrily on High. Also on the program are popular songs Santa Baby and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Hanukkah’s Al Shlo Sha, a soulful He’s Got the Whole World, What Child Is This, Mary Had A Baby, and other sounds of the season. The Pasadena Symphony’s musicians will also have an opportunity to shine with splendid solos in this intimate concert. A complete program listing is available on the Pasadena Symphony’s website.

All Saints Church, constructed between 1923 and 1924, is one of Pasadena’s most cherished buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Under the direction of lead architect Reginald Johnson, the church showcases the Gothic Revival style prominent in the early 20th century, a perfect home for an intimate musical experience in old world style.

The interior, boasting legendary Tiffany and Judson Studio windows, will be lit by candlelight according to maestro Grant Cooper. “We want to showcase the warmth of the building as an accent to the performers. It is going to be an opportunity to revisit a style of performance that is quite rare.”

Tickets to Holiday Candlelight with the Pasadena Symphony are limited. Reservations start at $30 and may be purchased either at www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org or by contacting the box office at 626.793.7172.

IF YOU GO:

• What: Holiday Candlelight with the Pasadena Symphony
• Special Guests: Grant Cooper (conductor), Lisa Vroman (soprano), Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Donald Brinegar Singers (Chorus), LA Bronze (Handbell choir)
• When: Saturday, December 1 at 7:00pm

·         Where: All Saints Church | 132 N Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

·         Cost: Tickets start at $30.00

• Parking: Parking structures are nearby at the Westin Hotel (enter on Los Robles, south of Walnut) or 330 E Union. Metered parking is also available on Euclid and nearby streets.
• Full Program: Full program is available on the Symphony’s website (www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org)

With information from a Pasadena Symphony and POPS press release.