by Noella Noelophile®
(Graphic courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
Musically speaking, what does Christmas sound like?
You’ll hear a wide range of answers to that question from Bay Philharmonic, this upcoming Sunday, December 17th!
Starting at 3:00 that afternoon, Bay Phil will be presenting A Holiday Spectacular at their new premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Center, in Hayward!
Under the direction of artistic director and conductor Jung-Ho Pak, Bay Philharmonic will offer a multi-media, multi-sensory, and multi-genre program, incorporating cultures and traditions from around the world.
(Photo courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
The program
Here are the featured performers:
(Photo courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
Singer/songwriter and harpist Deanna Loveland, has been performing music since she was five years old. Here’s a link to the beautiful title track from her Christmas album, “If I Could Make It Snow”.
(Photo courtesy of John Carrington Photography/Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
- Soprano Erica Gabriel has a breathtaking voice, and a background in opera, jazz, musical theatre and gospel. Here’s a link to her performance of “O Holy Night”. (I admit, her gorgeous rendition of the familiar carol gave me goosebumps!)
(Photo courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
- The San Francisco Girls Chorus is a five-time Grammy Award-winning group, celebrating its 45th season of empowering girls and young women, ages 4-18, to succeed, musically and in life. Looking at the videos of their range of performances, these talented young vocalists appear to be able to handle any style and mood with ease.
(Photo courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
- Jazz pianist Steve Pietkiewicz has been playing the piano for more than 50 years. He’ll pay tribute to Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Although not a career professional musician – he is currently a retired semiconductor executive – Steve has performed in numerous jazz, pop, and classical settings over the years. His experience includes playing on numerous movie scores at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County in the ’90s.
And then, there are the dancers.
(Photo courtesy of Bay Philharmonic, and uswd with permission.)
Ballet Folklórico México Danza, founded by René González, with collaboration from Martín Romero of Mexico City. was first created as an after-school program to keep children from drug and gang involvement. Today, the group has grown to include participants of all ages and nationalities. Their program continues to be a safe space for children to develop a love of dance and learn about their heritage.
(Royalty-free image by Yana from Pixabay.)
- Award-winning dance studio Yoko’s Academy of Dance and Performing Arts Group has been named one of Dance Spirit Magazine’s Top 50 Studios in the USA. With a professional curriculum which includes training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, tap, hip hop, and pilates, they’ve performed in California and internationally. Here’s a link to their July 2023 winning performances at the Showstopper Nationals in Anaheim .
All of these gifted performers will be accompanied by the entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic.
(Photo courtesy of Zach Borja/Bay Philharmonic, and used with permission.)
“We are pulling out all the bells and whistles to bring you an extraordinary celebration you won’t soon forget,” says Jung-Ho Pak, in a recent press release.
Known for his unique and creative and enthusiastic approach to symphonic music, Pak has more than 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras worldwide.
And he promises that Bay Phil’s Holiday Spectacular will have the whole family “highly entertained”, and will want to plan on A Holiday Spectacular as their annual tradition.
“(We’ll have) tremendous variety in music from pop to classical, (and) dancing from ballet to cultural,” Pak says.
(Royalty-free image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay.)
He adds that the show will include multi-media visuals, a tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas, festive holiday décor and drinks, and even a visit from Santa Claus.
In other words–this will not be our grandparents’ type of orchestral concert!
Sounds like Christmas to me.