Author: Catherine

CAPE ANN SYMPHONY HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT

A Festive Musical Celebration to Celebrate the Season for orchestra and chorus. Featuring the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus

News and notes from Heidi Dallin:

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Annual Holiday Pops Concert, returns to kick off our 70^th season  with our traditional holiday concert on Saturday, November 27 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 28 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.  

For tickets and information about this Cape Ann Holiday tradition, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

The 2021 Holiday Pops Concert led by CAS Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa features the return of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts. Udagawa has planned a joyful program of music from Anderson, Humperdinck, Rutter, Tchaikovsky plus Mark Hayes’ Believe from the hit film Polar Express, Courtney’s Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas, Davis/Hayes’ Little Drummer Boy, and Hayman’s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Cape Ann Symphony Board President Fran White is thrilled to have the orchestra back in performance in Manchester and Ipswich.

“This is a milestone year for CAS, our 70th anniversary of making music on Cape Ann! We stayed strong during the pandemic due to the diligence and Herculean efforts of our board, music director, and musicians and most importantly, the incredible support from our patrons! The Holiday Pops kicks off a spectacular 70th anniversary concert season! We are back and ready to make music for you for the next 70 years! “

Fran White, Cape Ann Symphony Board President

Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa is looking forward to this year’s Holiday Pops Concert,

The 2021 Holiday Pops program includes Tchaikovsky’s Selections from The Nutcracker; Anderson’s Christmas Festival , Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Prelude, Hayman’s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,Davis/Hayes’ Little Drummer Boy, John Rutter’s Joy To The World and Candlelight Carol, Mark Hayes’ Believe from the hit film Polar Express, John Leavitt’s Bashana Haba’ah, and Holcomb’s Festive Sounds of Hanukkah.

The Cape Ann Symphony launched The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus at the 2005 Holiday Pops Concert. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is a chorale with over 75 voices from the North Shore area. The group performed with the Cape Ann Symphony at Holiday Pops Concerts in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018 and 2019. The 75 plus member chorale under the direction of Wendy Betts is comprised mostly of North Shore residents, the majority of which live on Cape Ann.

“The CAS Chorus is glad to be back together! I have missed working with these tremendous singers! They work hard, are disciplined in their music tasks, and put out a lovely choral sound. But best of all, they truly enjoy one another, which is what choral singing is all about! Making music TOGETHER!”

Wendy Betts, musical director Cape Ann Symphony Chorus (north shore community residents)

Founded in Gloucester in 1951, the Cape Ann Symphony is a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout the New England area. They perform a subscription season of four concerts per year plus several Pops and youth concerts. The Symphony Board of Directors named Yoichi Udagawa the Music Director and Conductor of the Cape Ann Symphony in the summer of 2000 after a yearlong search. In addition to his leadership of Cape Ann Symphony, he is Music Director and Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and a cover conductor at the Boston Pops Orchestra. Frequently invited to guest conduct, Mr. Udagawa has worked with many different orchestras including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Indian Hill Symphony, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Brown University Orchestra, the Syracuse Society for New Music, the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, the Newton Symphony, the Austin Civic Orchestra, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Mr. Udagawa is at home in popular and contemporary music as well as the standard symphonic repertoire. He is known for his relaxed manner and ability to speak from the podium which has helped new audiences as well as enthusiasts gain a greater appreciation for symphonic music. His programs often include premieres of new works – some specially commissioned for the orchestra — as well as great orchestral works across the symphonic repertoire and lively Pops programs. He is also an integral part of the Cape Ann Symphony Youth Outreach programs to area schools.

Cape Ann Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert is Saturday, November 27 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 28 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Single ticket prices are $45 for adults, $40 for senior citizens age 65 and above, $20 for Students of any age with a valid student id; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.

In accordance with the CAS Covid Safety Policy, all concert attendees will be required to show proof of Covid 19 vaccination or to present documentation of a negative test within 72 hours prior to the event and will be required to wear a mask during the performance.

photo caption: Yoichi Udagawa, Conductor and Music Director, Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra joined by Wendy Betts, Director Cape Ann Symphony Chorus | photo © Jeph Ellis