The holiday season kicks off this weekend — and that means it’s time for the Cape Ann Symphony’s annual Holiday Pops concert, in two shows, set for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
The concerts, now held at the symphony’s new home at the Manchester Essex Regional High School’s auditorium, features a variety of holiday music and a guest appearance by vocalist Renese King, known for her gospel vocals and much more.
The Pops concert — “Make A Joyful Noise” — features holiday music for all ages, including Strauss’ “Fledermaus,” Anderson’s “Christmas Festival” and “Trumpeter’s Lullaby,” Waldteufel ‘s “Skater’s Waltz,” and Herbert’s “March of the Toys” plus other holiday favorites and an updated audience sing-along.
Conductor Yoichi Udagawa said the orchestra is excited about its new home and its nearly sell-out reception at its first concert this fall at the new venue. The Pops concert also generally sells out, and is on its way to sellout sales this year as well, organizers say.
“This Holiday Pops we have something very different with Renese King,” Udagawa said. “I call her the ‘Holy Pipes.’ I love her singing.
“She is the kind of perfect blend of all the emotional spiritual elements of gospel music with the absolute clarity, pitch and diction of classical music,” he added. “I’m always floored every time she sings.”
Recognized regionally as a talented instrumentalist, choral director and arranger, she has appeared throughout the East Coast and internationally as an accompanist, vocalist, and percussionist.
She has also appeared alongside noted personalities such as Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Cyndi Lauper, Rockapella, New York Voices, Peter Jennings, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler — and she has made featured and guest solo appearances in several concerts, national television broadcasts, a national tour, and a CD release with the Boston Pops Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
She has been featured in her own arrangements for gospel chorus, orchestra and voice with the Boston Pops, Utah Symphony, Jennifer Holliday, and many others. And her voice is featured on the soundtrack of award-winning director Stanley Nelson’s documentary film “Freedom Riders,” which aired on the PBS series American Experience in 2011.
King holds a position in student affairs at Berklee College of Music, is director of the Re-Union Choir, Associate Director of Music at Boston’s historic Union United Methodist Church, and Choral Director at the Waymark Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The Cape Ann Symphony’s “Make A Joyful Noise: Holiday Pops Concert” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium at 36 Lincoln St. in Manchester.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for senior citizens, $20 for young adults and free for children 12 years old and under. For information, visit www.capeannsymphony.org.
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
Holiday Pops What: The Cape Ann Symphony's "Make A Joyful Noise: Holiday Pops Concert" When: Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Where: Manchester Essex High School Auditorium at 36 Lincoln St. in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for senior citizens, $20 for young adults and free for children 12 years old and under. For information, visit www.capeannsymphony.org.
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