Steven B. Libman, President & CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony
As winter approaches in Jacksonville, there’s a magical transformation taking place at the heart of the city. The Jacksonville Symphony is gearing up to celebrate a holiday season that promises to be extraordinary. Every December, the Symphony enters the most exciting part of its annual calendar, orchestrating 17 concerts for an audience of 21,000 patrons who all gather to experience the joy of the holidays. Many of our patrons invite friends and family to be part of these traditions, ensuring their legacy in Jacksonville for many generations to come.
As Northeast Florida’s leading nonprofit performing arts organization offering the highest quality concert experiences, the Symphony is a cornerstone in the community, especially during the holidays. Though many exciting events unfold in the city throughout December, we are proud to be the premier place where patrons return to year after year. These holiday concerts are not just a source of delight but also an essential part of the community’s cultural fabric, generating a remarkable 27% of total ticket sales revenue in the month of December. This speaks to the profound importance these concerts hold for our community and the critical role the Symphony plays in the city’s vitality. Let’s delve deeper into these extraordinary concerts.
On December 1 and 2, Associate Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald will take center stage as the Jacksonville Symphony embarks on another exceptional Florida Blue Classical program and the second program in the David M. Hicks Piano Series. The evening will commence with the riveting “Dramatic Overture” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, followed by Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto, brilliantly performed by the internationally acclaimed pianist Joyce Yang. The evening will culminate with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Symphony No. 4.
The holiday merriment soars to new heights when the Symphony presents one of Jacksonville’s core festive traditions: the “Holiday Pops” concerts, running from December 7 to 10, sponsored by Paysafe. These six delightful performances will be led by returning guest conductor Tim Hankewich and will feature Broadway veteran Ryan Silverman, the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and the talented dancers from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. The program includes beloved holiday classics while Jacoby Symphony Hall is filled with an indoor snowfall in what is lovingly known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Before the performances on December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and December 9 at 3:00 p.m., the Jacksonville Symphony is also hosting a very special guest this year: Santa! He will be available for a free photo 90 minutes before the concert starts with a ticket to the performance.
On December 11, Assistant Conductor and JSYO (Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras) Music Director Grant O’Brien will lead the JSYO in the “Holiday Concert.” As Northeast Florida’s top music educator, JSYO serves more than 230 young musicians through six levels of ensembles. Featuring all six ensembles, this performance is a heartwarming demonstration of the remarkable talents and growth of these young musicians who have honed their skills throughout the year. Countless hours of rehearsals culminate in a fun-filled concert for the students and their proud loved ones.
Next, an extraordinary event unfolds. In the Moran Theatre, the Jacksonville Symphony presents the “First Coast Nutcracker,” presented by VyStar. Running from December 15 to 17, this enchanting ballet has been a holiday staple in the First Coast for over 50 years. Spotlighting Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” in six performances, education plays yet another vital part in this production as we produce two special matinee shows, at reduced prices, for over 4,000 students. The “First Coast Nutcracker” also allows more than 180 young community dance students the unique opportunity to work with illustrious choreographers, guest artists and musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony. With choreography by Rhonda Stampalia and music directed by Associate Conductor Kevin Fitzgerald, this is the only “Nutcracker” in Northeast Florida to feature live music, performed by Jacksonville Symphony musicians. The Jacksonville Symphony is also a trailblazer at large, being the only major orchestra in the country to produce a fully staged professional “Nutcracker.” From the ethereal “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the enchanting “Waltz of the Flowers,” this annual ballet is adorned with exquisite sets, costumes and a touch of magic.
Meanwhile, in Jacoby Symphony Hall, as the “Nutcracker” weaves its magic in the Moran Theatre, the Symphony presents “Handel’s Messiah” on December 16 and 17. This masterpiece by George Frideric Handel, conducted by Music Director Courtney Lewis, has become another cherished holiday tradition in Northeast Florida. First performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, “Messiah” is now one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in the world. With the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” as its centerpiece along with the full Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and star guest soloists filling the stage, the Jacksonville Symphony’s rendition of “Messiah” always proves to immerse our audiences in awe and inspiration.
In countless ways, these holiday concerts unite our community in celebration and in the shared hope for a joyous future with those around us. As the Jacksonville Symphony commemorates its 74th season of presenting world-class symphonic music to the First Coast, we extend our warmest wishes for a bright holiday season and a wonderful New Year to our community.
We look forward to sharing these extraordinary traditions with you that bring people together in the spirit of the season very soon.