Contact: Paul Witkowski Director of Communications 904.354.3578 pwitkowski@jaxsymphony.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Photos Online: http://www.jaxsymphony.org/publicity_photos/Holiday-Events.html Jacksonville Symphony Holiday Celebration - Dec. 3 through 31 The Jacksonville Symphony begins a month-long celebration of the Holidays. The music opens with Michael W. Smith (Dec. 3) in a concert presentation of Christmas favorites, with special guest Angie Miller, an American Idol finalist. The concert will be performed without orchestra. Events continue with First Coast Nutcracker (Dec. 6-8), a free holiday concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra (Dec. 9), the ever-popular Holiday Pops (Dec. 12-15) featuring singer/pianist Tony DeSare; Handel’s miraculous Messiah (Dec. 21); and Toast! To The New Year! (Dec.31) starring the spirit-soaring voice of Mike Eldred. MICHAEL W. SMITH Christmas Concert With Special Guest Angie Miller Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 8 p.m. One of today’s most acclaimed Christian artists, Michael W. Smith’s heartwarming performance of Christmas favorites is sure to delight the whole family. American Idol finalist Angie Miller will join Michael W. Smith as special guest. Location: Jacoby Hall – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Presented by the Jacksonville Symphony Association. The concert will be performed without orchestra. Ticket prices: $35-$85. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information Symphony Toy Drive with The Salvation Army Patrons are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys from Dec. 3- 15 to any of these performances for a child in need. Jacksonville Symphony patrons are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys to holiday performances from Dec 3 to Dec. 15, 2013 (Dec. 3: Michael W. Smith; Dec. 6-8: First Coast Nutcracker; Dec. 9: JSYO Free Holiday Concert; and Dec. 12-15: Holiday Pops). Patrons will receive a voucher for two tickets to a select upcoming Jacksonville Symphony concert in return for their generosity (one voucher per household). For the past seven years, Jacksonville Symphony patrons have joined with The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Forgotten Angels programs to collect toy donations. J SYM patrons have brought smiles to the faces of nearly 1,000 children and their families each season. VyStar Presents FIRST COAST NUTCRACKER With the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Friday, December 6, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Jim and Jan Moran Theater, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Michael Butterman, conductor Rhonda Stampalia, choreographer Irina Sapozhnikova, as the Sugar Plum Fairy Joseph Phillips, as the Prince Enter the magical world of childlike imagination at one of Jacksonville’s greatest holiday traditions. The First Coast Nutcracker will enchant the whole family, showcasing internationally renowned principal dancers Joseph Phillips from the American Ballet Theatre and Irina Sapozhnikova, who is an acclaimed "Young Ballet Dancer of the World," our area’s finest young dance corps and Tchaikovsky’s best-loved melodies played by your Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Ticket prices: $18-$50. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information. Location: Moran Theater – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT Monday, December 9, 2013 at 7 p.m. Publix Super Markets Charities JSYO Series Scott C. Gregg, JSYO Music Director and Principal Conductor The holidays come alive with a free concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra, featuring a showcase of several JSYO ensembles. Log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information. Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra HOLIDAY POPS Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Friday & Saturday, December 13 & 14, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Fidelity National Financial POPS Series Mayo Clinic COFFEE Series Matinee Series Thursday concert sponsored by Harbinger Signs Coffee series concert sponsored by Westminster Woods Pops series concerts sponsored by Stein Mart Matinee series concert sponsored by Jess & Brewster J. Durkee Foundation Michael Butterman, conductor Tony DeSare, guest artist Jacksonville Symphony Chorus It's Jacksonville's favorite Holiday music tradition! Your family will thrill to the spectacle of the season with conductor Michael Butterman and the Jacksonville Symphony in this sparkling holiday celebration. Guest vocalist-pianist Tony DeSare will make sure you have yourself a merry little Christmas, gift-wrapped with charm and sophistication. Tony DeSare has drawn rave reviews for his renditions of songs from the great American songbook, as well as his own compositions. Now returning after his "Valentine’s Romance" Pops debut with the Jacksonville Symphony, Tony delights in entertaining thousands at this most wonderful time of the year. Coffee concert ticket prices: $16-$26. Pops and Matinee concert ticket prices: $25-$72. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information. Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra HANDEL’S MESSIAH Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. Special Event Sponsored by St. Vincent’s Healthcare Donald McCullough, conductor Mary Wilson, soprano • Adriana Zabala, mezzo-soprano Jason Ferrante, tenor • Matt Boehler, bass Jacksonville Symphony Chorus Handel’s masterpiece to this day is one of the most famous oratorios ever written. Hallelujah! Ticket prices: $25-$72. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information. Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra TOAST! TO THE NEW YEAR! STARRING MIKE ELDRED Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. Special Event Stuart Chafetz, conductor Mike Eldred, vocalist Ring in the New Year with your Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra! Enjoy a sparkling program of symphonic favorites, along with the spirit-soaring tenor voice of Mike Eldred. The party continues with live music and dancing overlooking the St. Johns River. Ticket prices: $75-$150. Call 904.354.5547 or log on to JaxSymphony.org for more information. Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts ###