The Jacksonville Symphony will present five more holiday-themed programs during its 75th anniversary season, which started with “Big Band Holiday” on Nov. 24. The lineup includes annual favorites such as “Holiday Pops,” “First Coast Nutcracker” and Handel’s “Messiah” and concludes with a new program, “Holiday Brass, Organ and Percussion,” on Dec. 19. The Jacksonville Youth Symphony Orchestras (JSYO) will perform their holiday concert, with tickets available to the public, on Dec. 9.
The symphony will also host a meet-and-greet with Santa before the Dec. 7 and 8 performances of “Holiday Pops.”
The 2024-25 Holiday Season Schedule:
- “Holiday Pops”: Dec. 5-8. Guest conductor Herb Smith leads this holiday staple with vocalists Carole J. Bufford and Campbell Walker Fields, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and dancers from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. A one-hour concert on Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. will not include dancers or the chorus.
- JSYO Holiday Concert: Dec. 9. Students will perform festive classics the whole family will enjoy, led by Nathaniel Efthimiou.
- “The First Coast Nutcracker:” Dec. 13-15. This local tradition features more than 130 ballet dancers with music performed live by the symphony and conducted by Nathaniel Efthimiou.
- Handel’s “Messiah”: Dec. 14-15. This holiday classic led by Kevin Fitzgerald features the full power of the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus along with guest vocalists: Estelí Gomez, Jay Carter, Aaron Sheehan and Sidney Outlaw.
- “Holiday Brass, Organ and Percussion”: Dec. 19. A new program conducted by guest conductor Matthew Wardell, featuring organist Greg Zelek.
- Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 904-354-5547.
