Jingle Bell Rockin’

Get into the holiday spirit with Sounds of the Season!  Celebrate with live merry musical treats — winter delights, childhood favorites, international opera, organ music, cartoon Christmas, children’s chorus, sing-a-longs, caroling, holiday gospel, and some rock ‘n’ roll.  The 2015 North Delaware holiday mix will have you excited for more local live music year round.

Rainbow Chorale of Delaware ~ Classic Holiday! 

The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware presents a delightful collection of seasonal favorites that will surely lift your spirits.  Songs include a mix of light-classical to jazzy-pop with selections like Santa Baby, The 12 Days After Christmas, and a lively version of Deck The Halls.  The second act follows with a retelling of the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.  In this one-act musical interpretation, we breathe new life into the familiar holiday tale with fresh insights and humor.  Two nights only: December 12 and 19.  For information and tickets, visit Classic Holiday.

Holiday Brass Concerts

Celebrate the holidays with the Chesapeake Brass Band!  Share the spirit of the season at several local holiday concerts.  Join with this national award winning 35-piece all-brass British-style concert band for a joyous performance of Christmas classics and seasonal favorites.  Information on the December 5, December 7, December 12, and December 19 performances can be found here.

Holiday Sing!

Come out to the 25th annual childhood Holiday Sing! on December 6th at the Music School of Delaware.  Sing and play along with faculty during our festive celebration of the season.  A musical treat for the whole family that also features The Gingerbread Boy!  For ages 1½ and up with families!  For more information, visit Holiday Sing!

CoroAllegro Holiday Concert

CoroAllegro invites you to celebrate the holidays with the gift of choral music!  This December 18th holiday concert includes familiar carols, previously unknown gems, and sacred and secular offerings that reflect the joy and the solemnity of the season.  Under the direction of Jeffrey Sean Dokken, CoroAllegro is an ensemble of dedicated avocational singers (professional and experienced amateur) devoted to the accomplished performance of a wide variety of fine choral literature, with particular emphasis on less frequently performed works.  For more information, please visit the Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek.

Cathedral Choir School of Delaware

Christmas Carols Concert 

Listen to international opera singer Peter Campbell, accompanied by pianist Laura Cilia, every Sunday from November 29 through December 20 at the Brandywine River Museum of Art.  For more information, visit Christmas Carols Concert.

A Dickinson Christmas

Join The Dickinson Theatre Organ Society for a joyous evening (December 12) celebrating the music of the season with special guest organist Lance Luce, a church choir, and a progressive rock band.  Guest soloists and performers include Mary Ellen Schauber (Vocalist), Michael Marinelli (Pianist), Joel and Justin DeMartino (Vocalists), Alex Weir, St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine Choir, and The Moonstriker Band.  Truly an evening to delight!  For event and ticket information, go to A Dickinson Christmas.

Cartoon Christmas Trio 

The ever-popular Cartoon Christmas Trio has a series of concerts in the area this holiday season.  Some will be accompanied by a chorus or voices.  Some are inside while others are outdoors.  This popular jazz trio plays music from classic Christmas cartoons, especially the music of Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the “Peanuts” soundtracks.  For all holiday concert information from Nov. 25 through Dec. 20, visit the Cartoon Christmas Trio website.

Charlie Brown Christmas 

The acclaimed Eric Mintel Quartet returns to The Grand with their special Charlie Brown Jazz Holiday concert live in the intimate Baby Grand setting.  The quartet will perform such Vince Guaraldi tunes as “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Skating,” “Christmas is Coming,” and more while also including a special visual element that will delight the entire family.  They will also be joined by a local choir in performance of some selections.  Quickly becoming a holiday tradition at The Grand!  December 12th.  For more information, visit Charlie Brown Christmas

First State Symphonic Band Winter Concerts

Join the First State Symphonic Band for its annual public Winter Concerts!  The FSSB will be performing seasonal arrangements ranging from old European through more modern classics that will be guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit.  These include a Handel “Messiah” suite, “March of the Toys,” “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” “Sleigh Ride,” “A Hanukkah Festival,” “A Christmas Festival,” and more.  It’s a great way to spend a fun evening with family and friends in a beautiful setting!  Click on the links for more information on this December 3 and December 11 concerts.

Carols in Color

“Carols in Color” is a holiday dance musical that retells the story of Christ’s birth according to the gospel of St. Matthew, by using contemporary music, exuberant dance, and powerful narration.  “Carols” features some of Philadelphia’s premiere vocalists and the soul-stirring movements of Eleone Dance Theatre and Eleone Connection of Philadelphia.  “Carols” is cross-cultural, non-denominational and brings audiences to their feet!  Sunday December 13th.  For more information, visit Carols in Color.

Winter Choral Concert

This seasonal concert will showcase performances by Bella Voce, the Delaware Women’s Chorus, Music School Jazz Choirs, and the St. Helena’s Church Choir.  The event will be held at St. Helena’s Church.  One show only on December 13th.  For more information, visit Winter Choral Concert.

Newark Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert

Enjoy a holiday-themed musical performance by the Newark Symphony Orchestra at The Independence School.  The NSO will perform Tchaikovsky‘s Symphony No. 1, Winter Daydreams, John Rutter‘s Gloria, and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.  Accompanying the NSO musicians will be The Mastersingers of Archmere Academy (David John Ifkovits, Conductor), High School Vocal Majors (Marji Eldreth, Director), Concord High School Chorale (Lauren E. Conrad, Conductor), and Kennett High School Select Chorale (Catherine Soukup, Director).  For more information on the December 13 performance, visit NSO.

Frosty

The beloved holiday song “Frosty the Snowman” has inspired a brand new story… A young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat.  When he places the hat on a snowman’s head, the snowman comes to life!  But can Frosty the Snowman help Billy find his real family in time for Christmas?  Join Billy and Frosty as they embark on a New York City adventure filled with thrills and chills, and the discovery that the real magic of the holidays is love.  The show is filled with songs and dances that you’ll remember long after the show!  For more information on the 9:30 a.m. and noon performances on December 10 at Copeland Hall, visit The Grand.

New Ark Chorale Concert

The New Ark Chorale will perform at 3 p.m. December 19 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 701 S. College Avenue in Newark.  The program includes traditional Christmas songs with an opportunity to sing along, 10 Noels and features Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Midnight Mass for Christmas with orchestral accompaniment.  Tickets are $15, with kids admitted for free.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (302)368-4946.  More information can be found at New Ark Chorale.

Swing’n Holidays

Direct from London, The Jive Aces are renowned for their superior musicianship and spectacular stage show, and are widely heralded as the UK’s Premiere Swing Band.  Their energetic renditions of Christmas Classics and fresh arrangements of Swing/Jive/R&B classics –by such greats as Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  With special guests, Los Angeles –based THE SATIN DOLLZ.  December 9 only!  Information can be found at The Grand.

Market Street Music Holiday Concerts

Market Street Music is producing two unique holiday concerts for your pleasure this season.  Mastersingers of Wilmington sings memorable music for the Christmas season as well as the seldom-performed Messe “Cum Jubilo” of Maurice Durufle for men’s voices and organ on December 12.  “Christmas Comes Again” features a host of Christmas choral music, including numerous arrangements of well-beloved carols, is Center City Chorale’s gift to downtown Wilmington this holiday season.  That performance is on December 17.  For information on both shows, visit Market Street Music.

Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas

Celebrate Christmas with an Irish twist when you listen to the Grammy-nominated Cherish the Ladies perform on December 16.  Under the leadership of the dynamic and irrepressible flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing.  The Boston Globe wrote: “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.”  For information and tickets, please visit The Grand.

Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert

Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra is holding its annual FREE Winter Concert on December 19.  Conducted by Simeone Tartaglione, the DYSO celebrates over 70 years of fostering the talents of local young musicians.  For more information, visit Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert.

We Kids Rock Band’s Holiday Show 

Get ready for the holidays with We Kids Rock Band.  We Kids Rock has a mission: to create fun, upbeat musical experiences for families.  The Band features catchy originals as well as traditional favorites in fun musical styles including rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm & blues, punk, ska, and country.  Sing, dance, and clap along as We Kids Rock the holidays on December 19th!  For more information, visit We Kids Rock Band’s Holiday Show.

Wilmington Children’s Chorus Concerts

Come celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the Wilmington Children’s Chorus!  All 5 ensembles of the WCC will reflect upon the mystery and miracles of the holiday season while highlighting works by J. S. Bach, John Rutter, Ivo Antognini, and Thomas Talley.  Audiences are invited to sing along with the chorus on all of your favorite holiday carols!  Join us before and afterwards for some treats and our annual “Candlelight Shop” where you can find some unique gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.  For all information on holiday events by the WCC, visit WCC Concerts.

Music in the Mansion at Bellevue State Park

Joe Louden and Alyssa Schultheis return with musical friends to present a family-friendly concert featuring a mix of classical melodies seasoned with a dash of holiday and sing-along favorites.  You won’t want to miss these incredible musicians sharing their love of music.  Join us for entertaining music during the most wonderful time of the year.  Light refreshments will be served in the warmth of Bellevue Hall.   December 6.  For more information, visit the Bellevue State Park.

 *********************************

FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Brought you by New Castle County Special Events: New Castle County Special Events are opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to interact and come together as a community to enjoy the County’s parks and libraries.  The events serve to build trust and a sense of belonging to the community and thus improve our quality of life.