#InTheLoop | Seven Holiday Concerts Give Reason to Celebrate the Season
It’s basically a multi-day, boroughwide Battle of the Bands with a holiday theme.
Seven venues – including ones in Flushing, Forest Hills, and Jackson Heights – are ready to host winter concerts that combine Christmas carols, Chanukah songs, and other traditional seasonal tunes. Some are annual treats, while others are first-time-ever shows.
A chronological list of upcoming concerts follows.
Queens College Annual Winter Concert, Dec. 10 at 7:30 pm.
The Queens College Choral Society presents its 82nd annual winter concert on campus at Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave. in Flushing.
The night’s base is a version of Messiah, which is arguably the most popular holiday song of all time. Composed by German-born, English subject George Frideric Handel in 1741, the three-part oratorio’s structure resembles opera, but it’s not in dramatic form. The text begins by relating Old Testament prophets describing a coming Messiah and the annunciation of the virgin birth to the shepherds. The second part deals with Christ’s passion and contains the famous “Hallelujah” chorus. The finale covers Christ’s resurrection.
Queens College has a world-renown music department, and the choral society includes faculty members, students, and non-affiliated singers who range from high school students to adults who have been with the group for more than 40 years.
Queens Symphony Orchestra Holiday Magic, Dec. 11 at 3 pm.
QSO, which consists of a full orchestra with string and wind sections, performs everything from Christmas carols to Chanukah tunes at LeFrak Concert Hall which is also at 153-49 Reeves Ave. in Flushing.
QSO was founded in 1953 by David Katz, whose daughter is District Attorney Melinda Katz. Martin Majkut is the conductor and director.
A Christmas Festival, Dec. 11 at 4 pm.
The Oratorio Society of Queens and the in-house Sacred Music Society join together to offer this annual event at Our Lady Queens of Martyrs Church, Ascan Avenue and Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills.
The program includes selections from Messiah, holiday favorites, and appearances by guest artist John Easterlin (tenor), Paula Rocheleau (soprano), and Barbara Podgurski (piano, organ).
Established in 1927, OSQ is the borough’s oldest performing cultural organization. Maestro David Close currently directs it, but he’s announced his upcoming retirement.
OSQ Holiday Concert, Dec. 18, 4 pm.
OSQ performs Messiah selections, Christmas favorites, and Chanukah songs at St. Kevin R.C. Church at 42-21 194th St. in Flushing.
The first half spotlights excerpts from Messiah. The second half features Chanukah favorites “Nun Gimel” and “Ocho Kandelikas” along with “A Christmas Cradle Song,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and “O Holy Night.”
Maestro David Close works with Assistant Conductor Jin H. Byun and OSQ’s Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens. Easterlin (tenor) and Rocheleau (soprano) will be back, too, along with Nathan Bahny (bass-baritone) and Cantor Jerry Korobow.
Bonus Tracks
The Jackson Heights-based Quintet of the Americas — Kim O’Hare Bonacorsa (flute), Matt Sullivan (oboe, English horn), David Valbuena (clarinet, bass clarinet), Barbara Oldham (horn), and Alexander Davis (bassoon) — will offer three concerts in December.
All programs include “Caprice for Wind Quintet” by Peri Mauer, “Tango for a Cold Winter Day” by Lev Zhurbin, “Dance of Praise” and “Fiesta Latina” by James Cohn, “Winter Music” by Adam Schoenberg, “Serenata” by Carlos Franzetti, “Still Rockin’ in Jerusalem” by Carl MaultsBy and “Procesión jíbara,” “Alegria!,” and “Venid Pastores, a Belen!” by Edgar Colón-Hernández.
They’ll also play music for the season, including “Umoja” by Valerie Coleman (for Kwanza), “Skating” by Vince Guaraldi, “Sleigh Rides” by Mozart, “Allegro con Spirito di San Niccolo” arranged by Harold Schiffman, and festive sounds of Chanukah.
Here’s the schedule
Dec. 14 at 7 pm at The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills.
Dec. 17 at 3 pm at Queens Public Library in Jackson Heights, 35-51 81st St.
Dec. 18 at 3 pm at The Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Rd.
Top image: QSO; bottom image: Queens College Choral Society
