Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra
presents
Classical Treasures
Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 7:00 P.M.
Adult: $15 Student $5
Adult: $15 Student $5
"Classical Treasures" is the sparkling theme selected as Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra gets ready for their next holiday concert on November 15, 2025. The gemstones for this musical package feature Austrian and American composers from the Romantic and Contemporary eras of musical history. Programmatic music, or music that tells a story, is definitely the common thread that will tie all of the pieces together for an enticing treat to both the musicians and the listeners.
Starting off the program will be a piece by Austrian composer Franz von Suppé entitled Light Cavalry Overture. This instrumental introduction to our concert, commonly called a prelude, will showcase the whole orchestra but especially our brass section. The famous overture from Suppé's operetta has become core repertoire for orchestras and bands everywhere so it will be an exciting new challenge for WASO. The story told through the music portrays a troop of cavalry men who attempt to unite a young couple through an adventure with many twists and turns.
The next golden nugget for WASO's November 2025 program will feature music by our talented conductor who wrote an orchestration in 2003 for The Bremen Town Musicians. Originally written in German, this fairytale was published in 1819 by the Brothers Grimm. Dr. Christopher Stanichar has taken this beloved story and set it to music telling the tale of a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster that set off on a journey to find a better life and to make music together. Selecting a narrator that will effectively deliver the text along with the orchestra setting the tone for the message of the story will be the keys to bringing this work to life.
Starting the second half of the concert after intermission, WASO will perform Howard Hanson's dynamic Symphony No. 2, Opus 30 in D-flat major. This iconic piece has three movements with many developing themes within those three movements. Known as the "Romantic" symphony, American composer Howard Hanson composed this piece in 1930 for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Playing this composition will be one of WASO's greatest challenges because of its complexity. It has come as a request from some of our players to perform this master work in order to experience its magnificence but it is also known as a piece to be accessible to players of all ages since it has been featured on several All-State concert programs. Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 "Romantic" selection will build upon WASO's foundation by being the eighth complete symphonic work played since the orchestra was founded in 2010.
To add festive flair and round out our program for a delightful evening of "Classical Treasures", two holiday selections have been chosen. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1945 and recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946, goes down in history as one of America's favorites. It will definitely set a holiday mood as the music reminisces "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire". WASO's signature closer for the holiday concert will once again feature Christmas Carol Sing-Along written by local composer Dan Goeller. This piece has become a highlight and tradition that WASO audiences look forward to as we plan to usher in a new holiday season on November 15, 2025.
Celebrating a 16th season of music-making, WASO's Holiday Concert for November 2025 promises to challenge and inspire both our musicians and our audience by presenting a memorable night of live orchestra.
Starting off the program will be a piece by Austrian composer Franz von Suppé entitled Light Cavalry Overture. This instrumental introduction to our concert, commonly called a prelude, will showcase the whole orchestra but especially our brass section. The famous overture from Suppé's operetta has become core repertoire for orchestras and bands everywhere so it will be an exciting new challenge for WASO. The story told through the music portrays a troop of cavalry men who attempt to unite a young couple through an adventure with many twists and turns.
The next golden nugget for WASO's November 2025 program will feature music by our talented conductor who wrote an orchestration in 2003 for The Bremen Town Musicians. Originally written in German, this fairytale was published in 1819 by the Brothers Grimm. Dr. Christopher Stanichar has taken this beloved story and set it to music telling the tale of a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster that set off on a journey to find a better life and to make music together. Selecting a narrator that will effectively deliver the text along with the orchestra setting the tone for the message of the story will be the keys to bringing this work to life.
Starting the second half of the concert after intermission, WASO will perform Howard Hanson's dynamic Symphony No. 2, Opus 30 in D-flat major. This iconic piece has three movements with many developing themes within those three movements. Known as the "Romantic" symphony, American composer Howard Hanson composed this piece in 1930 for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Playing this composition will be one of WASO's greatest challenges because of its complexity. It has come as a request from some of our players to perform this master work in order to experience its magnificence but it is also known as a piece to be accessible to players of all ages since it has been featured on several All-State concert programs. Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 "Romantic" selection will build upon WASO's foundation by being the eighth complete symphonic work played since the orchestra was founded in 2010.
To add festive flair and round out our program for a delightful evening of "Classical Treasures", two holiday selections have been chosen. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1945 and recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946, goes down in history as one of America's favorites. It will definitely set a holiday mood as the music reminisces "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire". WASO's signature closer for the holiday concert will once again feature Christmas Carol Sing-Along written by local composer Dan Goeller. This piece has become a highlight and tradition that WASO audiences look forward to as we plan to usher in a new holiday season on November 15, 2025.
Celebrating a 16th season of music-making, WASO's Holiday Concert for November 2025 promises to challenge and inspire both our musicians and our audience by presenting a memorable night of live orchestra.