The holiday season is already upon us and so is our December series, CHRISTMAS CLASSICS (first performance: November 29th at Heinz Hall). This will mark the third year that we’ll collaborate with some of the best high school choirs in Western Pennsylvania at holiday time. I am always impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and professionalism of these young people, and the audience seems to enjoy them, too.

Included on the program is “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (Clement Clarke Moore, original music by Drew Fennell), which will feature a different narrator at each concert venue. At some sites we’ll have the honor of hearing prominent state legislators deliver that grand old poem.

Also on the program are new pieces commissioned from prominent composers John Wasson, Randol Alan Bass and David Cutler. Won’t be the same old holiday program, that’s for sure.

One concert to go (Beaver Area High School) where my “mystery tune” wager is concerned (see previous posts). To win, Bob Karlovits will have to see 22 correct answers tonight. The most any site has produced is 16, so I like my chances. After tonight I’m hoping to have bragging rights with Bob for a good long time.