Arts: The Pops spin a Christmas mix

The Rappahannock POPS Orchestra is readying for their biggest family concert of the year.

BY LINDLEY ESTES

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

The Rappahannock POPS Orchestra holiday concert is one of the local traditions as synonymous with the holiday season as decorating trees in the Fredericksburg area.

And this performance at Grace Church in Fredericksburg on Dec. 15—in their 13th season—is going to be the best holiday concert yet, said director Kirk Wilke.

“The orchestra sounds the best,” he said. “The blend is extremely good.”

Wilke said that being together for so many seasons has allowed the orchestra members to get to know one another “and continue to get better and better.”

The program, their biggest family concert of the year, will feature classic Christmas arrangements including “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “White Christmas,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “Bossa Nova Christmas, “A Civil War Christmas,” “Hanukkah Festival Overture,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

The performance will feature the Voices of the POPS chorus.

The Rappahannock POPS Orchestra will also play the full arrangement of “A Christmas Festival,” the rights for which were released by the Boston Orchestra this year.

“Everyone knows it, but this will be different and better,” Wilke said.

The orchestra will also perform “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” narrated by Peter Stover of Classics Radio 89.5 for the children in the audience, who will be invited to the stage.

“It’s a very nice arrangement that inspires a sense of holiday warmth,” Wilke said.

While the performance is good for families, Wilke said, it is a perfect opportunity for a date or to enjoy solo.

The Rappahannock POPS Orchestra offers four concerts per year, a spring concert, a fall concert, the holiday concert and a Memorial Day concert.

WANT TO GO?

What: “Celebrate the Holidays with the Pops”

Where: Grace Church, 1141 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg

When:  Saturday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, free for students under 18. Available at the door, Fredericksburg Visitors Center and Roberson’s Music

Info: rappahannockpops.org

Lindley Estes: 540/735-1976

lestes@freelancestar.com

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