Christmas concert set Dec. 14

The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra in its 31^st season will present its annual Christmas concert at First United Methodist Church on Friday, December 14, 2012, at 7:30 pm with doors opening at 7:00 pm. 

Get in the holiday spirit with the Murfreesboro Symphony’s Sounds of Christmas.  The orchestra will join forces with the Murfreesboro Symphony Chorus and tenor, H. Stephen Smith, Professor of Voice at MTSU, to present traditional holiday favorites that everyone will love.  From Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” to “O Holy Night” with soloist, choir, and orchestra, this concert is sure to fill your heart with Christmas.  Other works featured are Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” traditional Christmas carols, and a performance ofRutherfordCounty’s own “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.”

 The evening will begin with the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra Guild’s pre-concert reception Celebrate Christmas with Symphony Friends from 5:30-7:00 pm in the beautiful lobby of Sun Trust Bank at201 East Main Street.  Attendees will enjoy delectable appetizers prepared by Maple Street Grill and beverages served by Stones River Total Beverages.  Reservations can be made by calling 615-898-1862.  A portion of your $25.00 donation supports the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra.

 At 6:30 pm, students from Centra lMagnet School will present the pre-concert show in the vestibule of the church.  Under the direction of Milicia Nelson, Strings Teacher at Central Magnet School and a cellist in the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra, the school’s Advance String Section will delight you with Christmas musical selections.  As a complement to the music, the artwork of CMS art students studying under art teachers Mr. Dennis Greenwell and Mr. Ray Bennett will be on display.

   A special treat for concertgoers will be the opportunity to view a display of memorabilia of R. Fisher Boyce, the composer of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.”  Doris Hoffman, one of Mr. Boyce’s granddaughters, will greet and answer any questions concerning the display or her grandfather.

 To purchase tickets, call the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra office at 615-898-1862; stop by the office at 201 East Main Street, Suite 106; or order online through Pay Pal at www.murfreesborosymphony.com.