The holidays lie before us and the wonderful sounds of the season are about to begin. Christmas music best communicates the holiday messages of peace, love and hope. Enjoy a holiday performance with your grandchildren. It can become a tradition that you all look forward to every year.
The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus concerts fill Severance Hall with amazing sounds of the holiday season. Concerts are performed December 9-19. This is a wonderful family concert experience and a great chance to introduce orchestra music and instruments to the grandkids. They will recognize some of the pieces being played and even have a chance to sing along while observing the yuletide splendor of this magnificent hall. Its location within the University Circle area provides the opportunity to also visit a museum or the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Glow event, which are all within walking distance.
Don’t Forget the Tubas
For a very fun and unique holiday concert experience, attend the Tuba Christmas performance at Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. Such fun! Sing along while listening to Christmas carols being played by over 100 decorated tubas. Many different types of tubas are present and even young players can participate. The players range from 12 to 85 years of age and they deck their tubas in tinsel, garland and lights.
This year’s concerts will be on December 21 at noon and 2:30. This will be their 40-year anniversary celebration. It was begun by Tucker Jolly, who is now a professor emeritus of the University of Akron’s School of Music. Did I mention this concert is free? Arrive a bit early to secure a good seat and remember to bring along a bell to ring on the last song.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is being performed live on stage at the Akron Civic Theatre December 9. The magic of the season is brought alive by a concert of beloved carols sung by the Peanuts characters as well as the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi. If your grandkids love Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, they will really enjoy seeing them in person.
The annual performances of “The Nutcracker” are also spectacular holiday traditions. The Palace Theatre in Cleveland is hosting “The Nutcracker” on December 3, 4 and 5. The Akron Civic Theatre will have performances from November 27-December 5. The story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King was transformed into a magical ballet in 1892 and is now a Christmas favorite. May the music of Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” or “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” bring back Christmas memories and cheer to your family.
Every Wednesday, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cleveland presents “Music Near the Market” concerts on their famous Beckerath organ. This is a free lunchtime concert; the music begins at 12:15 and lasts about half an hour. It is a real treat around the holiday season, as the church is beautifully decorated and the music is joyful!
The church is located down the street from the West Side Market at West 30th and Lorain Avenue. The great Beckerath organ was built in 1956 and was moved from Germany into the Trinity Church. The instrument is named after its creator, master organ builder Rudolph von Beckerath. It is a monolith of an instrument, containing 3,476 pipes! Robert J. Myers and other musicians have been playing this organ for the past 25 years. A fun thing to do is to purchase a take-out lunch at the market, then head out for the church for a fabulous and peaceful concert.
Take the opportunity this year to bring music and theatre back into your holiday season… with the grandchildren!
