Minnesota Holiday Concert Preview
'Tis the season for holiday concerts! What better way to get yourself in the holiday spirit than by attending a rousing concert with joyous music to create an uplifting atmosphere? If you're looking for a festive concert, check out some of the best holiday concerts playing in Minnesota this year.
Hosanna! Christmas Concert
Hosanna! Lutheran Church
9600 163rd St. W.
Lakeville, MN 55044
(952) 435-3332
www.hosannalc.org
Dates: December 14-16, 2012
Price: $20-$25
The "Hosanna! Christmas Concert" is a popular holiday concert series. Now entering its 16th year, the "Hosanna! Christmas Concert" features the Minnesota Orchestra along with professional soloists and a 200-voice choir. This family friendly event offers attendees a mix of holiday music from classical to pop genres. Listen to holiday classics and popular favorites performed live by talented musicians in combination with special lighting effects and a massive 800-foot screen designed to create a multimedia experience to dazzle the senses. In recent years, this breathtaking concert has sold out all performances.
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Welcome Christmas
Various metro locations
(612) 371-5656
www.vocalessence.org
Dates: December 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, 2012
Price: $20-$45
"Welcome Christmas" is a rousing holiday concert featuring the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers with a chamber orchestra. A popular holiday concert, "Welcome Christmas" presents beloved carols like "Carol of the Bells," "Ave Maria", "I Saw Three Ships," "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Fum, Fum, Fum." This year, "Welcome Christmas" is scheduled to open with music from Italians and Italian Americans including Gian-Carlo Menotti (music from "Amahl and the Night Visitors"), Dominick Argento (music from "The Masque of Angels") and the Ensemble Singers performing Ottorino Respighi's "Laud to the Nativity." This lovely performance even allows the crowd to join in the merriment by singing along to select carols.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
The Auditorium at the Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 371-5656
www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Date: December 8, 2012
Price: $33-$68
If you're looking for some yuletide jazz to stimulate your holiday spirit, check out "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" featuring renowned trumpeter Irvin Mayfield. The Minnesota Orchestra and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra are teaming up to bring attendees a lively concert starring holiday favorites that are jazzed for the occasion. Listen as Irvin Mayfield demonstrates his love of New Orleans jazz with original compositions and journalist Soledad O'Brien offers a reading of her modernized version of the beloved Christmas poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." This concert is also rumored to feature a few special surprise guests, so don't miss out on an enchanted evening of jazzed-up holiday tunes.
Handel's Messiah
The Auditorium at the Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 371-5656
www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Dates: December 13, 15 and 16, 2012
Price: $22-$55
Classical music fans will be delighted with this holiday performance featuring a live performance of Handel's "Messiah." Led by young British conductor Matthew Halls, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Chorale and four extraordinary soloists (Gillian Keith, Daniel Taylor, Thomas Cooley and Philip Cutlip) put on a magnificent and moving performance. Don't miss out on this grand performance and hear "Messiah" as it was meant to be heard; performed by the area's most talented musicians and vocalists.
The Tenors Christmas
The Auditorium at the Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 371-5656
www.minnesotaorchestra.org
Date: December 19, 2012
Price: $30-$80
Known the world over, the Tenors will be in Minneapolis for a special holiday performance. Having made appearances at the 2010 Winter Olympics and on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," this Canadian foursome stars vocalists Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray, Remigio Pereira and Fraser Walters. Performing with the Minnesota Orchestra, this dazzling group of tenors will be showcasing some of the season's most popular carols including "Ave Maria," "What Child Is This," "O Holy Night" and more! This one-time Minneapolis performance is sure to sell out, so pick up your tickets now.
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A Minnesota native that was born and raised Up North, Minneapolis is where Christina Kalinowski currently calls home. Christina appreciates irony, loves bacon, enjoys a hearty libation (drink responsibly, folks), and is an avid proponent of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
