IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR: SEATTLE SYMPHONY CONCERTS BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO THE WHOLE FAMILY
PERFORMANCES INCLUDE AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD, THE SNOWMAN, TINY TOTS, HOLIDAY POPS, HANDEL’S MESSIAH, BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SYMPHONY AND A NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT, COUNTDOWN & PARTY
Seattle, WA – Embrace the magic of the holidays and join the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall for a joyful array of concerts designed to delight audiences of all ages. This winter season sees the return of seasonal favorites and holiday staples, including the Family Concert presentation of The Snowman accompanied live by the Symphony, Tiny Tots, Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
The Symphony will be joined by the Seattle Symphony Chorale, as well as an all-star vocal cast of guest artists, in Handel’s Messiah. For the decades-long tradition of Handel’s Messiah at Benaroya Hall, soloists include soprano Emily Richter, mezzo-soprano Sarah Larsen, tenor Eric Ferring and bass-baritone Christian Pursell. More exciting guests are set to light up the stage, including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Northwest Boychoir, Audra McDonald and Patricia Ward Kelly.
Holiday Concerts
November 28: Grammy-nominated contemporary "Kings of Swing" Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will bring joy to the world by delivering a special holiday gift for naughty and nice fans alike with their lively holiday show. The program includes a rich catalog of holiday classics and Christmas originals from the band’s two full-length holiday albums as well as their signature hits.
December 2: Create cherished memories with the whole family at the seasonal Family Concert featuring the classic children’s film The Snowman with live accompaniment by the Seattle Symphony. A young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him on an adventure to the North Pole. This festive concert will also include some other holiday favorites!
December 5: Six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald brings her unparalleled artistry and passion to Benaroya Hall for an evening of classics from Broadway and the American Songbook.
December 8, 9 & 10: Holiday Pops returns to Benaroya Hall by popular demand! Join conductor Stuart Chafetz and vocalist-trombonist Aubrey Logan for this dazzling program full of holiday favorites, traditional carols and plenty of yuletide cheer.
December 8 & 9: Over 35 minutes in each interactive Tiny Tots concert, musicians share their favorite stories, songs and musical games, introducing instruments of the orchestra to the youngest listeners (ages 0–5). The Strings: Holiday String-Along creates a magical winter wonderland through classic sing-alongs and your favorite holiday music as performed by a Seattle Symphony string quartet. Pre-concert activities begin 30 minutes before each concert in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
December 14 & 15: Gene Kelly: The Legacy – An Evening with Patricia Ward Kelly is a live, one-woman show by Patricia Ward Kelly — Gene Kelly’s wife and biographer — that offers audiences an intimate portrait of the innovative artist who gave us such iconic works as An American in Paris and Singin’ in the Rain.
December 15, 16 & 17: An unparalleled December tradition, Handel’s Messiah returns, this year featuring the multi-talented conductor, Antony Walker. Showcasing exquisite choral writing and the exultant “Hallelujah” chorus, an acclaimed cast of soloists and the Seattle Symphony Chorale join the Symphony to honor one of Handel’s greatest works.
December 20: In A Festival of Lessons and Carols, the Northwest Boychoir presents the story of the Nativity told through reading, choral setting and audience carols.
December 28, 29, 30 & 31: The beauty and drama of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony returns to Benaroya Hall with conductor Kahchun Wong. This alternately awe-inspiring and uplifting masterpiece, with its crowning jewel of the “Ode to Joy” chorus, is a wonderful way to end the calendar year and look boldly to the year ahead.
December 31: The holiday programs finish with the biggest event of the month, the New Year’s Eve Concert, Countdown & Party. Following the Beethoven Symphony No. 9 concert, audiences are invited to celebrate at the after-party and ring in the new year with champagne and dancing with electro-swing band Good Co. in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
Ticket Information
For more information on tickets, please visit or contact the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office. The Seattle Symphony Ticket Office is located in Benaroya Hall, at Third Avenue and Union Street. The Ticket Office can be reached by phone at 206.215.4747 during the following times: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. seattlesymphony.org or contact the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office.
SUNNY XIA | CONDUCTOR
Recognized for her innate musicality, compelling presence and technical precision, conductor Sunny Xuecong Xia’s ability to forge an immediate and captivating connection with orchestras and audiences alike has led to engagements around the country. Recently appointed the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, Xia first joined the Symphony in September 2022 as the orchestra’s Assistant Conductor. In the 2021/2022 season, Xia was selected as Conducting Fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, where she made her festival debut leading the world premiere of Marc Migó Cortés’ Dumka in July 2022. She led a production of La bohème with the Chandler Opera Company to great success and served as Assistant Conductor of the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra. A dynamic advocate for contemporary music, Xia led the Seattle Symphony in works by composers Katy Abbott, Chen Yi, Quinn Mason, Angelique Poteat, Gabriella Smith and Tan Dun in the 2022/2023 season.
ANDY EINHORN | CONDUCTOR
Leading Broadway music director and conductor Andy Einhorn served as the music supervisor and musical director for the Broadway productions of Hello, Dolly! (starring Bette Midler) and Carousel (starring Renée Fleming). Einhorn’s previous Broadway music directing and conducting credits include Holiday Inn, Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Brief Encounter, and Sondheim on Sondheim. Since 2011, Einhorn has served as music director and pianist for six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, performing with her at the New York Philharmonic, Boston Pops at Tanglewood, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, Los Angeles Opera, Carnegie Hall, a recorded concert series at the Sydney Opera House and more. They have recorded two albums together: Sing Happy: Live with the New York Philharmonic and Go Back Home. He has also conducted concerts with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Aspen Music Festival and School.
STUART CHAFETZ | CONDUCTOR
Stuart Chafetz is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Columbus Symphony and the newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor of the Chautauqua and Marin Symphonies. Chafetz, a conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent and this season Chafetz will be on the podium in Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Naples, Philly Pops, Cincinnati Pops and Pittsburgh. He enjoys a special relationship with The Phoenix Symphony where he leads multiple programs annually. He previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for twenty years, Chafetz would also conduct the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre. It was during that time that Chafetz led numerous concerts with the Maui Symphony and Pops. He's led numerous Spring Ballet performances at the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.
In the summers, Chafetz spends his time at the Chautauqua Institution, where he conducts the annual Fourth of July and Opera Pops. Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco, CA, with his wife Ann Krinitsky. Chafetz holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a master’s from the Eastman School of Music.
ANTONY WALKER | CONDUCTOR
With a repertoire of over 200 works to his credit — from lyric opera and oratorio to choral and symphonic repertoire — Australian-born conductor Antony Walker is well-suited to the role of Music Director at Pittsburgh Opera and Artistic Director at Washington Concert Opera. He has led performances at The Metropolitan Opera, Canadian Opera, English National Opera, Opera Australia, Santa Fe Opera, Welsh National Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Maggio Musicale di Firenze, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of San Francisco Opera among others. Conductor Emeritus at Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera, Walker is a prolific recording artist, having conducted and collaborated upon several award-winning recordings, of note The Voice with Teddy Tahu Rhodes. His DVD of the Emperor Concerto won the International DVD Association Award for Music Excellence. Originally trained as a cellist, Walker’s understanding of orchestral repertoire is broad, and he is known for his incisive interpretation and execution as well as his insightful reading of new works.
JACOB WINKLER | CONDUCTOR
Jacob Winkler grew up singing in the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle. He holds a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Washington and has sung on dozens of soundtracks for film and video games. Winkler teaches music notation software, orchestration and conducting at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, and from 2009 to 2022, he served as Artistic Director of the Seattle Girls Choir. In 2022, he returned to his roots when he assumed the role of Music Director of the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle.
KAHCHUN WONG | CONDUCTOR
Internationally acclaimed for his electrifying stage presence and thoughtful exploration of Eastern and Western artistic legacies, Singapore born Kahchun Wong is the Chief Conductor of Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor of Dresdner Philharmonie, and he is the newly appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Hallé beginning in the 2024/2025 season. In his final appearance as Chief Conductor of Nürnberger Symphoniker last summer, Wong led the world premiere of his orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to an audience of 75,000 at the annual Klassik Open Air in Luitpoldhain, Germany. Since winning the Mahler Competition in 2016, Wong has guest conducted distinguished orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of his 2023/2024 season include debuts with London Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic and China NCPA orchestras.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY CHORALE
Over its past four decades, the Chorale has grown in artistry and stature, establishing itself as a highly respected ensemble. Critics have described the Chorale’s work as “beautiful, prayerful, expressive,” “superb” and “robust,” and have praised it for its “impressive clarity and precision.” The Chorale’s volunteer members, who are teachers, doctors, attorneys, musicians, students, bankers and professionals from all fields, bring not only musical excellence, but a sheer love of music and performance to their endeavor. Directed by Joseph Crnko, Associate Conductor for Choral Activities, the Chorale performs with the Seattle Symphony both onstage and in recorded performances.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony+ streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
BENAROYA HALL
Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle and surrounded by numerous restaurants, retail stores and parking facilities. Opened in 1998, Benaroya Hall is the most-visited performing arts venue in Seattle. It has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture. Benaroya Hall has three versatile performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. For additional information, including rental information, event listings and public tour schedules, please visit benaroyahall.org.
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CONCERT LISTINGS
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY'S WILD & SWINGIN' HOLIDAY PARTY
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Tuesday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m.
THE SNOWMAN
FAMILY CONCERTS SERIES
Saturday, December 2, at 11 a.m.
Sunny Xia conductor
Jonathan Zheng piano – 2023 Young Artist
Seattle Symphony
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Christmas Overture
Valerie Coleman Umoja - Anthem of Unity
Sergei Rachmaninov Allegro vivace from Piano Concerto No. 1
Howard Blake The Snowman
Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride
Sunny Xia’s position is generously underwritten as the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor.
Delta Air Lines proudly supports the Seattle Symphony’s Community Partnerships for Youth and Education.
AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD AND THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Tuesday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Andy Einhorn conductor
Audra McDonald vocals
Seattle Symphony
Audra McDonald’s performance is generously sponsored by Leslie and Dale Chihuly.
HOLIDAY POPS
SEATTLE POPS SERIES
Friday, December 8, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 9, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, at 2 p.m.
Stuart Chafetz conductor
Aubrey Logan trombone & vocals
Seattle Symphony
2023/2024 Pops Series Sponsor: The John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation
THE STRINGS: HOLIDAY STRING-ALONG
TINY TOTS SERIES
Friday, December 8, at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, December 9, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
John Turman host
Brittany Breeden violin
Natasha Bazhanov violin
Sayaka Kokubo viola
Eric Han cello
Delta Air Lines proudly supports the Seattle Symphony’s Community Partnerships for Youth and Education.
GENE KELLY: THE LEGACY — AN EVENING WITH PATRICIA WARD KELLY
BENAROYA HALL PRESENTS
Thursday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 15, at 8 p.m.
Patricia Ward Kelly host
HANDEL MESSIAH
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Friday, December 15, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 16, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 17, at 2 p.m.
Antony Walker conductor
Emily Richter soprano
Sarah Larsen mezzo-soprano
Eric Ferring tenor
Christian Pursell bass-baritone
Seattle Symphony
Handel Messiah
Handel’s Messiah is generously sponsored by Stephen Whyte in memory of Gwendolyn Jones Whyte.
A FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Wednesday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Jacob Winkler conductor
Northwest Boychoir
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO. 9
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Thursday, December 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 29, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 30, at 8 p.m.
Kahchun Wong conductor
Katie Van Kooten soprano
Seattle Symphony Chorale
Seattle Symphony
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
Katie Van Kooten’s performances are generously sponsored by Richard Masters and Susan Sarrafan Masters.
NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT, COUNTDOWN & PARTY
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Sunday, December 31, at 9 p.m.
Kahchun Wong conductor
Katie Van Kooten soprano
Seattle Symphony Chorale
Seattle Symphony
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
Katie Van Kooten’s performances are generously sponsored by Richard Masters and Susan Sarrafan Masters.