The Cape Ann Symphony kicks off the holiday season with "Holiday Sparklers," the orchestra's annual winter pops concert, on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Fuller Auditorium, off Blackburn Circle, Route 128, Gloucester.

The symphony's holiday celebration features The Cape Ann Singers. Led by Rockport resident and choral director Wendy Betts, The Cape Ann Singers is a chorale with more than 50 members from Cape Ann and the North Shore. The group performed with the Cape Ann Symphony at holiday pops concerts in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

This festive evening will feature vocal holiday selections, including "Twelve Days of Christmas," "I Saw Three Ships" and "Gloria." Rockport High School senior Gillian Hurst, a younger member of the chorale, will perform "Rejoice Greatly," a solo from Handel's "Messiah."

The symphony will perform many holiday favorites such as Anderson's "Christmas Festival," "Trumpeter's Lullaby" and "Song of the Bells," Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on Greensleeves," Humperdinck's "Prelude to Hansel and Gretel," selections from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," and selections from Holcomb's "Festive Sounds of Hanukkah."

The evening will culminate with the symphony's annual holiday singalong; audience members are encouraged to join The Cape Ann Singers and conductor Yoichi Udagawa as they sing holiday favorites accompanied by the orchestra.

The Cape Ann Symphony Cafe and Concessions will be open a half hour prior to the concert and during intermission and the symphony will sell refreshments in the Fuller lobby.

The Cape Ann Symphony, under Udagawa's musical direction, launched The Cape Ann Singers at its 2005 holiday pops concert. The majority of the chorus's members live on Cape Ann. Betts held open auditions this past summer for interested singers. The symphony itself, a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout New England, was founded in 1952.

"We have such a great time at rehearsals," Betts said. "It truly is a lively, talented, convivial group of singers who love making excellent music together!"

Udagawa said he is excited to collaborate with The Cape Ann Singers again.

"There is so much talent on Cape Ann. It is a privilege to showcase these terrific singers," he said "Wendy and the chorus have been working very hard and I know that the audience will enjoy their fabulous singing."

Betts, a voice teacher and choral director, is the organist and director of music arts at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Topsfield. She has an independent voice studio and teaches piano and voice. She is also the founder and director of Share the Music, a group of 20-plus singers who present favorites from the "Great American Songbook" each March.

Tickets to the Saturday and Sunday performances are $30 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $20 for college students, and free for children younger than 18. They may be purchased by calling 978-281-0543 or visiting www.capeannsymphony.org.

Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.

IF YOU GO

What: "Holiday Sparklers," Cape Ann Symphony's holiday pops concert

When: Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Where: Fuller Auditorium, off Blackburn Circle, Route 128, Gloucester. Fuller Auditorium is handicapped accessible.

How much: Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $20 for college students. Free for children younger than 18.

For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.