Arts & Entertainment

Symphony To Put on Christmas Extravaganza

The Inland Valley Symphony and Ukranian National Choir bring the sounds of Christmas favorites with "Celebrate the Season," set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

The sounds of the season will fill Murrieta Mesa High School's Gershwin Performing Arts Theater when the Inland Valley Symphony brings what is possibly Southwest Riverside County's largest holiday concert ever, according to a news release.

Conducted by Maestro Anthony Parnther, "Christmas Favorites: Celebrate the Season" is set for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Called an extravaganza, more than 100 musicians will take the stage.

To sound the trumpets, Amy Morris and Yaphet Jones will perform Vivaldi's "Double Trumpet Concerto." 

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Experience the magic of the Christmas season further with "KOBZAR" The Ukrainian National Choir, directed by Gregory Hallick-Holutiak. Luke Lashchuk Miller will perform a solo on the Bandura, the Ukrainian national instrument.

Guests will enjoy "Hallelujah Chorus" as well as traditional Ukrainian and English Christmas Carols.

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Three world-class opera singers will join IVS to perform selections from Handel's Messiah.

They are: Bradley Baker, baritone, who has been frequently heard at the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, Janelle DeStefano, who is slated to perform with the Los Angeles Master Chorale as the alto soloist in "The Messiah," and Renée Rulon Cortez, who has numerous credits performing with area opera companies. 

"Each of these vocalists has toured and performed extensively," said IVS President and Principal Percussionist Alana Joos.

"The symphony has reached new heights in its concert programming since our 'Carmina Burana' concert this past May and 'Curtains Up! This is Broadway' in October, when we packed the house with record-breaking attendance," Joos said.

"Maestro Parnther's vision for this program is to provide concert goers with a spiritually uplifting experience in an afternoon of engaging music for the whole family to enjoy." 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 60 and older, military and students 13 to 18, and $8 for children 12 and younger.

Call the ticket hotline at 760-318-0460. Tickets are selling quickly, according to Joos.

Families in financial need this holiday season may call the hotline for special pricing.

Gershwin Performing Arts Center is located at

For more information, visit InlandValleySymphony.org.


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