A Virtual Madison Symphony Christmas

STREAMS NOW through December 31st!

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This special new concert production features vocalists Kyle Ketelsen and Emily Secor, The Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, and Mt. Zion Gospel Ensemble, with performances and accompaniment by John DeMain and Greg Zelek on piano and the Overture Concert Organ, respectively. The production was pre-recorded in Overture Hall and multiple other locations. This concert is offered for FREE upon registration and will be available for viewing through December 31, 2020.

Celebrate the joy of the season together with all of us when we present an hour-long virtual concert that is certain to lift our hearts and spirits. Featured music includes Joy to the World, Peace Carol, O Holy Night, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland, Christmas Hope, and more — plus our traditional sing along where you can join us singing to a medley of favorites from your home!

View the Program Book

Program

Handel/Mason — Prelude on Joy to the World
Handel — He Shall Feed His Flock from Messiah
Handel — But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming from Messiah
Beers — Peace Carol 
Bédard — Postlude sur un Noël  (Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella)
Calkin/Longfellow — I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Adam — O Holy Night
Anderson — Sleigh Ride
Pola/Wyle — It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Tormé/Wells — The Christmas Song
Bernard/Smith — Winter Wonderland
Stanley — Christmas Hope
Christmas Carol Sing Along

S T A R R I N G

John DeMain, Host & Piano

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Greg Zelek, Organ

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Kyle Ketelsen, Baritone

Kyle Ketelsen, baritone, is in frequent demand by the world’s leading opera companies and orchestras for his vibrant and handsome stage presence and his distinctive vocalism. He has won first prize in several international vocal competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Richard Tucker Music Foundation (Career Grant), the George London Foundation, the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, the Sullivan Foundation, Opera Index, and the MacAllister Awards. Highlights of Mr. Ketelsen’s recent seasons include performances at the Opernhaus Zurich, Staatsoper Berlin, Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company, and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as performances with the San Francisco Symphony, the National Symphony and performances at Carnegie Hall.

Emily Secor, Soprano

Praised for her “spicy and rich lyric soprano,” Emily Secor enjoys performing on and off the operatic stage. As a Studio Artist with the Madison Opera in the 2019-2020 season, she performed the role of Annina and covering the role of Violetta in La Traviata, and performed the role of Miss Lightfoot in Fellow Travelers. Emily’s recent performances with Madison Opera as a Studio Artist during the 2018–2019 season include covering the role of Nedda in I Pagliacci, performing the role of Mrs. Nordstrom and covering Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music, and performing the role of First Woodsprite and covering the title role in Rusalka. Other recent operatic performances include covering the role of First Woodsprite in Rusalka as an Apprentice Artist with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2018), performing the role of Liz Taylor in scenes from Jackie O. by Michael Dougherty and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel at the University of Northern Iowa (2018). As a soloist, she has performed with the Luther College Symphony and Combined Choirs for Handel’s Messiah.

Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director

The Madison Symphony Chorus gave its first public performance on February 23, 1928 and has performed regularly with the Madison Symphony Orchestra ever since. The Chorus is comprised of more than 150 volunteer musicians who come from all walks of life.

Madison Youth Choirs, Michael Ross, Artistic Director

Recognized as an innovator in youth choral music education, Madison Youth Choirs (MYC) inspires enjoyment, learning and social development through the study and performance of high-quality and diverse choral literature. The oldest youth choir organization in Wisconsin, MYC serves more than 1,000 young people, ages 7-18, in a wide variety of choral programs. In addition to a public concert series, MYC conducts an annual spring tour of schools and retirement centers, performing for more than 7,000 students and senior citizens annually.

Mount Zion Gospel Ensemble, Tamera and Leotha Stanley,
Directors

Under the leadership of Leotha Stanley and his wife, Tamera Stanley, the Mount Zion Gospel Choir has been a part of the MSO Christmas concerts since 2005. The choir is primarily comprised of members from Mount Zion Baptist Church and includes representatives from other churches as well. The choir has traveled extensively throughout the Midwest and has journeyed to Europe, singing in France and Germany.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

John DeMain is Music Director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Greg Zelek is the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Organist and the Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curator of the Overture Concert Organ.
Dates, artists, and programs subject to change.