Festive repertoire for TSO's Christmas at the Perot

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert features soprano Mari Fasciano as well as the tenor Vernon Di Carlo, symphony musicians, TSO Chamber Singers, Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra and the winner of the 9th annual Celebrity Conductor Competition.
The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert features soprano Mari Fasciano as well as the tenor Vernon Di Carlo, symphony musicians, TSO Chamber Singers, Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra and the winner of the 9th annual Celebrity Conductor Competition.

TEXARKANA, Texas - Coming up Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Perot Theatre, the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra brings Christmas good cheer through the beauty of music.

Starting at 4 p.m., the TSO and conductor Philip Mann will guide listeners through a flurry of beloved Christmas classics, starting with a rendition of "Jingle Bells Fantasy" and closing with a "Merry Christmas Sing-Along."

The TSO's players are joined by the TSO Chamber Singers, the Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra and Santa Claus himself for this Christmas extravaganza featuring soprano Mari Fasciano and tenor Vernon Di Carlo, in addition to the winner of the 9th annual Celebrity Conductor Competition.

We caught up with Andrew Clark, the TSO's executive director, to talk about the Christmas concert. Here's what he had to say:

1) Q: Christmas at the Perot has become a popular tradition now in Texarkana. What do you think makes the occasion so special? The setting, the music, the Christmas cheer?

A: This concert has become a holiday tradition for Texarkana because we sought, from the beginning, an experience that involved musicians, singers, dancers, actors and so on from our own community. Each year the concert has been different, featuring diverse holiday music selections, classics and movie themes associated with the holiday season, but holding on to a collective sing-a-long of carols for all to join in on. Add to this the backing of a professional orchestra and the beautiful setting of the Perot Theatre, and it provides a magical experience for the whole family.

2) Q: Tell us about the repertoire and what guided your decisions with these selections. You have included "Feliz Navidad" and a Hanukkah song to bring a bit of diversity.

A: Philip Mann brings lots of holiday programming experience from his previous posts and we see that reflected in the selections this year. He purposely sought to add music that reflected the Jewish holiday season of Hanukkah this year, as well as expanding repertoire that represented other cultures.

3) Q: What's your favorite number on the repertoire and why? What personal memories might you have with these Christmas selections?

A: For me, my favorite is the sing-along! But, this year we have something really special and that's the "Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas"! This piece takes the familiar carol and sets each day in a different style of classical music-so the orchestra and chorus begins with Gregorian chant and travels through Western music history until the 12th day represents the modern era of music. It's a really fun and funny piece. We are grateful to Don Howren, who graciously agreed to rehearse and prepare our TSO Chamber Singers for this concert over the last few months.

4) Q: The show includes two visiting artists, soprano Maria Fasciano and tenor Vernon Di Carlo. Tell us about them and what they bring to the concert? 

A: Christmas at the Perot has never featured guest vocalists before (from outside of our community) and we thought it was time to make that happen! (Actually we have considered this for many years.) Maria and Vernon are wonderful operatic voices with the sort of rich tone color needed for this holiday repertoire. Maria will blow you away with "O Holy Night"

5) Q: You will have another Celebrity Conductor Competition winner guide the TSO for a number. What will happen and what sort of fun can we (and the winner) expect? 

A: Yes, this is our 9th Celebrity Conductor Competition! Again this year we have featured four community leaders who have worked tirelessly to bring awareness of and support to the TSO! Truly the Celebrity Conductor Competition has become TSO's most important fundraiser each year, providing over $50, 000 annually to support our youth orchestra, education concerts, and provide for the many and varied guest artists we feature each year. It truly is a lot of fun for both the orchestra, and most especially the Celebrity Conductors-each brings their own unique way of helping sustain great music for Texarkana!

(Tickets: $55, $52, $42. Get tickets via TexarkanaSymphony.org or call the Perot Theatre Box Office at 903-792-4992.)

Upcoming Events