The Winston-Salem Symphony’s popular fun and festive concert, A Carolina Christmas, will once again take place Thanksgiving weekend. This annual tradition is the perfect way to kick off your holidays and will take place on Saturday, November 30th, and Sunday, December 1st, at Reynolds Auditorium in Winston-Salem. This year, A Carolina Christmas will be conducted by the Symphony’s new Music Director Tim Redmond, and features a blend of Appalachian harmonies, along with the sounds of the season.
The Appalachian music is thanks to a performance of singer-songwriter and Stokes County resident Laurelyn Dossett’s heartwarming The Gathering: A Winter’s Tale in Six Songs. The Gathering is a powerful and affecting story told through song of a prodigal daughter’s journey home for the holidays. It was commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony and premiered in 2011.
Nominated for a GRAMMY Award, the CD of The Gathering made many of the Top Ten Holiday CD lists in 2011, including that of The New York Times, The LA Times, and The Chicago Tribune. The Wall Street Journal said: “It’s what the holidays were before shopping and Irving Berlin.” Dossett will perform “The Gathering” with renowned musicians Mike Compton, Joe Newberry, and April Verch.
A Carolina Christmas also includes a visit from the jolly old elf himself (Santa) and a selection of popular and traditional holiday music, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing, On Christmas Day, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker, a Christmas Sing-Along, and more. Joining the orchestra will be the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus (Dr. Christopher Gilliam, Director).
“A Carolina Christmas is a perfect start to the holiday season,” said E. Merritt Vale, Winston-Salem Symphony President & CEO. “These concerts present the best of the holidays with their combination of upbeat carols and songs and spiritual music. We’re particularly excited to offer a performance of the moving and soul-stirring The Gathering. This remarkable song cycle will remind us all of family, homecoming, and the holidays.”
These concerts will be part of the Winston-Salem Symphony’s annual Toy Drive partnership with The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem. Concert goers are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12 at the A Carolina Christmas concerts. The toys will be distributed through The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem’s annual Christmas Program.
Be sure to kick-off the Christmas season with this toe-tapping, heartwarming Triad holiday tradition!
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A Carolina Christmas: The Gathering
Presented by the Winston-Salem Symphony
Tim Redmond, Conductor
Featuring the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus and guest artists Laurelyn Dossett, Mike Compton, Joe Newberry, and April Verch
Saturday, November 30th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m.
Reynolds Auditorium, 301 North Hawthorne Road
wssymphony.org or 336-464-0145
